Pregame Decision-Making: Prepare to Win Before the Game Begins

When we think of great decision-making in sports, we often picture athletes reacting in real-time—split-second choices under pressure. But what separates elite performers from the rest isn’t just what they decide in the moment. It’s what they decide before the moment ever arrives.

The best athletes make critical decisions before the game starts. They plan, rehearse, visualize, and prepare for every possibility. That mental preparation allows them to act—not react—when something goes wrong. And sometimes, that preparation makes all the difference.

Decision-Making Starts in Practice

Great decision-making isn’t random. It’s the product of intentional, scenario-based preparation.

Elite athletes and coaches create mental blueprints for what to do in specific situations. Before a race or a match, they think through:

• What if I get off to a slow start?

• What if the weather changes mid-game?

• What if my opponent adjusts their strategy?

• What if something totally unexpected happens?

This type of mental rehearsal sharpens focus and minimizes hesitation. It helps athletes make faster, smarter decisions when the stakes are high.

Kenneth Rooks: Planning for the Unexpected

One of the most powerful examples of pregame decision-making comes from Kenneth Rooks at the USA Track and Field Championships in the steeplechase.

During the race, Rooks clipped a barrier, lost his balance, and fell hard onto the track. For most runners, that moment would’ve ended their race. But not for Rooks. He got up, refocused, and—astonishingly—won the national championship.

After the race, Rooks shared a powerful insight:

"My coach and I talked about what I would do if I hit a barrier and went down. I said I would go into Henry Marsh mode."

Henry Marsh, one of the greatest American steeplechasers, was known for his relentless resilience. That image became Rooks’s mental model. Because he had already decided what to do if he fell, he didn’t panic. He followed the plan. He executed under pressure. And he won.

The Power of Premade Decisions

When you decide in advance how you’ll respond to challenges, you gain clarity. You reduce hesitation. You take control of situations that might otherwise cause panic or doubt.

That’s what mental strength looks like—not just reacting well, but preparing to react well.

Practical Applications: For Players, Parents, and Coaches

For Players:

• What to Do: Before your next game, write down three things that could go wrong—and how you’ll respond. Practice those scenarios in your head or during training.

• What to Avoid: Don’t assume everything will go perfectly. Confidence comes not from pretending problems won’t happen—but from knowing you’ll be ready when they do.

For Parents:

• What to Do: Ask your athlete questions like, “What’s your plan if something doesn’t go as expected?” Help them think through options and responses.

• What to Avoid: Avoid over-coaching in the moment. Let your athlete build their own decision-making framework through preparation.

For Coaches:

• What to Do: Build pregame planning into your routine. Talk through tough-game scenarios and help athletes visualize their best responses.

• What to Avoid: Don’t leave game-day decisions to chance. Don’t just coach skills—coach mental scenarios.

This Is Mental Strength

Kenneth Rooks didn’t win because he was lucky. He won because he had a plan. He fell, and he got up—not because the moment made him strong, but because he’d already decided who he was going to be if that moment came.

The best decisions don’t start in the moment—they start before the moment.

This is how you build mental strength.