CONNECT
Choking Under Pressure
B2 lesson on performance anxiety, focus, working memory, routines and expert performance.
Why Do People Choke Under Pressure?
This B2 lesson explores why skilled people sometimes fail at crucial moments and what can reduce performance anxiety.
- Have you ever performed worse than usual because you felt nervous?
- What helps people stay calm before exams, presentations or competitions?
- Do you think practising under pressure can improve performance?
- Why might thinking too much about a skill make performance worse?
- What kind of pre-performance routine would help you feel more confident?
Prep Part 1
Match the key words before watching the first part.
Questions
Watch 1 + Gap Fill
Watch from 0:00 to about 2:39. Then complete the first-minute tapescript with 8 missing words.
Gap Fill: First Minute
Your favorite athlete closes in for a victorious . The crowd holds its breath, and, at the crucial , she misses the shot. That competitor just experienced the phenomenon known as , where despite months, even years, of , a person fails right when it matters most. Choking is common in sports, where performance often occurs under intense and depends on key moments. And yet, performance anxiety also haunts public , contestants in spelling bees, and even world-famous musicians. Most people intuitively blame it on their , but why does being nervous undermine expert ?
Comprehension 1
Click each question to reveal the answer.
Vocabulary from Part 1
Prep Part 2
Match the ideas before watching the second part.
Questions
Watch 2 + Gap Fill
Watch from about 2:39 to the end. Then complete the final-minute tapescript with 8 missing words.
Gap Fill: Final Minute
First, it helps to practice under stressful . In a study on expert dart players, researchers found that those who hadn’t practiced under stress performed worse when , compared to those who had become accustomed to pressure. Secondly, many performers extol the virtues of a pre-performance , whether it’s taking a few deep breaths, repeating a cue word, or doing a rhythmic sequence of . Studies on golfing, bowling, and water polo find that short can lead to more consistent and accurate performance under pressure. And thirdly, researchers have shown that having an external on the ultimate goal works better than an internal focus. Practice, under pressure, with focus, and with that glorious end in sight, makes .
Comprehension 2
Click each question to reveal the answer.
Vocabulary from Part 2
Vocabulary Review
Review key B2 vocabulary from the video.
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| choke under pressure | perform badly at a crucial moment because of pressure | Even experts can choke under pressure. |
| performance anxiety | fear or stress before performing | Performance anxiety affects speakers and musicians. |
| undermine | make weaker or less effective | Nerves can undermine performance. |
| preoccupied | unable to focus because of worry | The mind becomes preoccupied with doubts. |
| working memory | short-term mental storage used during tasks | Complex tasks challenge working memory. |
| overanalyse | think about something too much | Pressure can make people overanalyse automatic skills. |
| susceptible | likely to be affected by something | Some performers are more susceptible to choking. |
| pre-performance routine | a short repeated action before performing | A routine can reduce pressure. |
| external focus | attention on the goal or outcome | External focus works better than internal focus. |
| consistent | steady and reliable | Rituals can lead to more consistent performance. |
Vocabulary Gap Fill
Complete the sentences using words and phrases from the vocabulary table.
Grammar: Cause, Effect and Prevention
Use B2 structures to explain why choking happens and how to prevent it.
| Structure | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| when + clause | describe a situation | Performance suffers when the mind is preoccupied. |
| because of + noun | cause | People may choke because of pressure. |
| by + -ing | method | You can reduce choking by practising under stress. |
| rather than + -ing / noun | contrast | Focus on the goal rather than the mechanics. |
Grammar Exercise 1: Complete the sentences
Grammar Exercise 2: Reveal the correction
Grammar Exercise 3: Sentence Transformations
The mind is preoccupied. Performance suffers.
Pressure can make people choke.
Practise under stress to reduce choking.
Focus on the goal, not the mechanics.
Discussion
Use the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson.
- What kind of pressure affects you the most?
- Do you perform better or worse when people are watching?
- Should performers focus on technique or the final goal?
- What pre-performance routine would work for you?
- Can pressure ever improve performance?
- How could schools help students practise under pressure safely?
Useful Language
| Explaining causes | Giving advice | Talking about performance |
|---|---|---|
| Performance suffers when... This happens because of... Pressure can lead to... | You can reduce this by... It helps to... Focus on... rather than... | I tend to perform better when... A routine helps because... The biggest risk is... |
Role Play: Performance Coach
Practise giving advice to someone who often chokes under pressure.
Student A: Performer
Explain what usually happens when you feel pressure and what worries you most.
Student B: Coach
Recommend pressure practice, a pre-performance routine and an external focus.
Challenge
Use at least four phrases from the grammar section.
| Performer language | Coach language |
|---|---|
| I usually choke when... I get distracted by... I start overanalysing... | You can reduce this by... Focus on the goal rather than... It helps to... When you feel nervous, try... |