When Tournament Weekends Feel Like Too Much -Part 4 of 6
WHY I WROTE THIS SIX-PART SERIES: LESS FRAZZLED, MORE FOCUSED- A CLUB SEASON SURVIVAL GUIDE: When your season starts, it can be a lot—mentally, emotionally, logistically. Whether you’re brand new to the club scene or on season seven, the chaos hits hard and often. I created this six-part series- a sports moms survival guide to offer a little more clarity, a little less comparison, and a few real tools to feel less overwhelmed and more present. Because we all want the same thing:
To support our athletes without losing our minds in the process.
Tournament weekends are a different animal.
Early mornings.
Long days.
Cold gyms.
Too much coffee.
Not enough seats.
And somehow… a lot of feelings.
By the time Saturday morning rolls around, you’re already managing logistics, emotions, expectations, and the quiet pressure of “this weekend matters.”
And that’s before the first whistle blows.
Why Tournament Weekends Hit Hard
Tournament weekends compress everything.
Performance.
Playing time.
Team dynamics.
Recruiting pressure.
Parent energy.
Your own emotional investment. (not to mention the financial burden)
There’s very little downtime and very few places to mentally reset. One match bleeds into the next, and before you know it, you’re carrying frustration from Court 12 into Court 47. You sneak into survival mode. But how do you stay grounded?
And when tournament weekends involve travel, everything feels amplified.
You’ve bought plane tickets. Booked hotels. Paid for parking, admissions, merch, meals on the go.
There’s time, money, and emotional investment layered into every match. The tournament may not end until you hit your door late Sunday or even Monday.
When you’ve committed that much, it’s easy for expectations to quietly sneak in—even when you don’t want them to.
That’s why staying grounded matters even more on travel weekends. The pressure is higher, but so is the opportunity to model calm and perspective.
The Mental Load No One Talks About
Tournament weekends don’t just test athletes — they test parents.
You’re watching:
- How your athlete responds to pressure
- How coaches make decisions
- How teammates interact
- How other parents behave
And even if you don’t say it out loud, your nervous system is working overtime.
Especially if:
- Your athlete is trying to move up a level
- Recruiting feels close but unclear
- Playing time is inconsistent and you’re still trying to figure out why
- Or you’re new to the club scene and still figuring out the whole thing.
It’s a lot to hold — and it’s okay to admit that.
🧠 Grounding Tools for Tournament Chaos
These aren’t about pretending you don’t care.
They’re about helping you stay regulated while you care.
1. Start the Day With an Intention (Not Expectations)
Expectations create pressure.
Intentions create focus.
Try something simple before the first match:
“Today, I’m here to support my athlete with calm energy.”
You don’t need to decide how the day will go — just how you will show up. It’s really NOT BS. I promise.
2. Create Small Reset Moments During Tournament Weekends
Tournament days are long. Don’t wait until the end of the day to breathe.
Between matches:
- Step outside
- Stretch
- Drink water
- Put your phone down for five minutes. Or 20 minutes.
These micro-resets help your nervous system settle so you’re not carrying one match into the next.
3. Limit Sideline Noise (Including the Mental Kind)
You can’t control what’s happening on the court — or in the stands.
But you can notice when:
- You’re replaying points in your head. Not worth it. Coaches don’t even want players to do that. Let it go.
- You’re comparing athletes. Another useless exercise since development timelines are vastly different.
- You’re absorbing other parents’ anxiety – and I know I don’t have to explain this one.
When that happens, gently bring your focus back to:
“Is my athlete safe, supported, and trying?”
Everything else can wait.
4. Remember: This Is a Long Season
Tournament weekends can make everything feel urgent.
But one weekend doesn’t define:
- A season
- A roster decision
- A recruiting outcome
- Or your athlete’s growth
- TRUTH: The things I just mentioned above usually happen away from your gaze in practice.
Perspective doesn’t minimize disappointment — it gives it context.
5. Model the Energy You Want Your Athlete to Feel
Your athlete feels your energy — even when you think you’re hiding it.
When you stay calm, flexible, and present, you’re giving them permission to do the same.
You don’t have to be perfectly zen.
You just have to be steady.
Real Talk
Tournament weekends are intense because you care.
About your athlete.
About their effort.
About their future.
Mindfulness during these weekends isn’t about checking out — it’s about staying with the experience without letting it consume you.
Because at the end of the day, the most valuable thing you bring to the gym isn’t strategy or analysis.
It’s presence. That is what they will always remember. Their mom and dad supported them and showed up in more ways than one.
Up Next
Part 5 – What to expect in your first travel tournament- the logistics, the feelings what to prepare for.
(Let the games begin!)
