Closing Strong: How to Finish Games Under Pressure

Closing Strong: How to Finish Games Under Pressure in Cornhole and Beyond
By Michelle Thompson | Cornhole Meesh

Finishing strong is one of the hardest skills in competitive play. Whether it’s cornhole, golf, or any high-pressure sport, many players can battle back into a game—only to fall short when it matters most.

That was the challenge Mike Dilse brought into a recent live coaching session. After three seasons of competitive cornhole, Mike has proven he can hang with top talent. But in the clutch, when victory is just one or two points away, the nerves and adrenaline often take over.

The Challenge: “I Can Compete, But I Can’t Close”

At Nationals in Ottawa, Mike shared how he fought his way back from a big deficit to tie the game at 19–20. Confidence was soaring, but with the winning bag in his hand, adrenaline spiked. He front-boarded, and momentum was gone.

Sound familiar? It’s a common pattern—because in those moments, our brains leap into the future (“I’m about to win!”) or reflect on the past (“Look how far I came back!”). Both take us out of the present.

Why the Present Is the Only Place You Can Win

Execution only happens in the now. Even positive thoughts are still projections.

Top pro Mark Richards is a great example. After semifinal wins, he often says: “It’s not done yet.” That simple phrase keeps him grounded in the process instead of jumping ahead.

For players like Mike, the work is noticing when the mind drifts—and not throwing from that thought. Instead, pause, reset, and come back to what’s real: the bag in your hand.

Reset Techniques for Pressure Moments

Pressure is emotional. You can’t suppress it—but you also can’t indulge it. Here are practical resets you can use mid-game:

• Micro-reset (10 seconds): One deep breath, shake out your hands, or hop lightly to release tension.

• Timeout reset (30–60 seconds): Step away if emotions surge. Use breath + movement (shoulder rolls, tossing bags down, exhaling) to release.

• Anchor phrases: Short cues like “let’s go” or “it is what it is” signal your body it’s time to lock back in.

• Start triggers: Notice your natural pre-game ritual—walking style, how you set your bags, even complaining about the music—and use it mid-game to re-anchor.

Remember: your job isn’t to throw it in the hole. Your job is to release the bag. One bag at a time.

Final Takeaway

Finishing strong isn’t about “wanting it more.” It’s about training yourself to stay present when pressure tempts you to look forward or backward.

Next time you’re in that do-or-die moment, ask yourself: Am I throwing from the present, or from a thought about the outcome? That awareness could be the key to finally closing with confidence.