Gerard Pique Quotes

There were butterflies, otherwise, you're not really ready to play. The locker room, I remember, was quiet and we were very focused on playing that game.

My concentration level blocks out everything. Concentration is why some athletes are better than others. You develop that concentration in training and concentrate in a meet.

When I go out on the ice, I just think about my skating. I forget it is a competition.

Some players like to practise right up to the start of play. But for me, whatever warming up I did was only going to be followed by cooling down again.

I am pretty chill before games. Have a go-to routine that keeps me busy until we are ready to take the court so I'm not just sitting around anxious for the game.

I try and have a relaxed attitude and stay quite switched off until about an hour before kick-off.

Before a race, I block out what's going on in the stadium. It's different for everyone. But for me, I've always been able to block it out. For a sprint race, it's important not to get distracted.

Before a match, I need to be alone. I need to reach concentration and focus on the game ahead of me.

People might think it's all about getting up for a game but it's often the opposite.

Sticking to a routine helps you get in the zone for the match. I always put my left shinpad on before my right. When I go out onto the pitch, I take three hops on my left leg - but I don't know why I started. I must have seen Messi do it or something.

I don't really listen to music before I go on court.

I don't like rushing, just like to sit down and rest before a match. Half the time I don't even look at the draw.

When I'm about to play in a big match, I take things easy.

When I get onto the pitch, I block out everything around it, and I really focus on the pitch.

I felt good in the bullpen and even when we came out in the first inning I felt fairly good.

I know when it's getting close to game time, I create a different playlist for each and every game. Before the game, to game time, to warm-ups, going to the stadium, I have a different playlist that puts me in a different mode.

Ninety percent of hockey is mental and the other half is physical.

I get 0.5 seconds to react to a ball, sometimes even less than that. I can't be thinking of what XYZ has said about me. I need to surrender myself to my natural instincts. My subconscious mind knows exactly what to do. It is trained to react. At home, my family doesn't discuss media coverage.

Every night you have different match-ups, and you have 82 games, so physically you are going to get tired. You have to be ready mentally to bring your energy and bring the juice every night.

Tiger Woods, Larry Bird, Wayne Gretzky, a pitcher just before a game, I would imagine they all have nervous energy. But as you perform, the nervous energy dissipates and you start to relax and you start to do what you do best.

I am always nervous before the start of a race. It helps me to say to myself to try my very best. That is my commitment. No matter how bad it gets, I will try my hardest.

I always train and prepare with highest concentration and focus on my next opponent. To me, it does not matter what his name is.

I think players tend to get anxious if they've not really done things properly - like eating, resting or training. If you're fully prepared you've got nothing to worry about - it's just a game of football.

I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon as I see the targets, I tune them out.

I think I'm really good at forgetting about golf when I'm off the golf course.