Coaches know that we all have bad games. When they're looking at recruits, what they really care about is how you recover when you have a bad game or make a bad play.

Bad games are just something we have to deal with being an athlete, and beating ourselves up over it won't help us improve or get recruited. Here are 5 ways to help you rebound after a bad game:

1. Try positive self-talk: Talk to yourself in a positive way. Don't let the negative thoughts and the mistakes control your mind. This was one bad game, make the next one better.

2. Recognize that everyone has bad games: This sounds cliche, but it's true! Even the best athletes have bad games. What separates them is that they learn from the bad game rather than letting it get them down.

3. Remember: A bad game doesn't equal skill level: A bad game doesn't mean you lost your skill or you're not good enough. It can sometimes feel like your ability diminishes after a bad game, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Remind yourself of your talents.

4. Control what you can control
You can't control the past, and the game is in the past. Focus on the things you can control: your effort and your mindset going forward.

5. Take that bag game as a learning opportunity: Acknowledge your mistakes, and figure out how you can learn from them

Having a bad game isn't the end of the world. Rather, it's an opportunity for you to learn from your mistakes and be a better athlete than you were before.

Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on February 4, 2022, by Madison Machado