I’ve been part of more position battles than I can count—both as a player and now as a coach helping athletes navigate that same pressure-filled terrain.

In football, most coaches will tell you:
“Watch the other quarterback. Take notes. Study the defense. Get mental reps.”

I did that. And you know what it got me? Stuck on the teeter-totter of comparison.

When the other QB made a great play, I felt like I had to one-up him. Hero ball.
When he struggled, I felt relief heading into my rep.
Either way, I was riding a rollercoaster that I couldn’t control—and my performance suffered.

So I made a shift.

I did something counterintuitive to what the coaches were preaching. I didn’t watch his reps at all. I cocooned myself.

While he was up, I was warming up.
I was mentally reviewing my 3 coded skills, reciting affirmations, and prepping for my moment.

I detached from his reps—and re-attached to mine.

Same thing in the film room.
I didn’t watch his clips. I drew up my plays from the script and watched only when I was up.

If Coach Leach made a coaching point, I listened. If he repeated it, I’d glance at the film. But that was it.

The coaches also used to print out practice stats and leave them on our desk.
Before this shift, I’d frantically scan to see where I ranked.

Afterward? I’d close my eyes, push the sheet to the center of the table, and lock back in on my process.

Even outside the facility—if someone brought up the QB battle or sent me articles, I’d shut it down.

“I’m focused internally. I don’t need that noise.”

I became like a racehorse with blinders on—focused only on my lane.

The result?
Way less anxiety. Way more control. Way better performance.

My clients? Same results.

If you’re in a position battle right now—"cocoon" yourself.
Detach from the distractions. 
Anchor into your process. 
Control the controllables.
And let the rest take care of itself.