Moving Up a Division: How to Keep Confidence and Play Your Best Game

Moving Up a Division: How to Keep Confidence and Play Your Best Game
By Michelle Thompson | Cornhole Meesh

Every competitive player eventually faces it—the move up to a higher division. It’s exciting, but it can also shake your confidence. Suddenly, you’re no longer the top dog. You’re the “new kid on the block,” surrounded by players who seem to hit every roll, block, and airmail with ease.

This was exactly the challenge Chris Pacheco brought to a recent live coaching session. After three years of playing, Chris had found success in the competitive division, often placing at the top. But when he moved up into advanced, everything changed.

The Challenge: “I Don’t Play My Best at This Level”

At the competitive level, Chris could confidently control the board and push opponents to match his clean rounds. He played with belief in his game. But in advanced, self-doubt crept in.

Instead of playing to his ceiling (an 8+ PPR), his numbers dropped as low as 5 PPR in high-pressure matchups. The reason? Pressure and self-doubt—not lack of skill.

As Chris explained:
“When I’m in advanced, I think, ‘I can’t make mistakes, I can’t compete with these guys.’ And that pressure drags me down.”

The Mindset Shift: Play Your Ceiling, Not Theirs

The key insight? Chris wasn’t even playing his best game—he was playing under it.

Before worrying about how to beat top-level opponents, the first step is to consistently throw at your ceiling, no matter who’s across the boards.

That means:

• Stop focusing on whether you can win or lose.

• Stop comparing yourself to the opponent’s game.

• Focus only on whether you can throw your ceiling today.

As Michelle put it:
“If you’re not even throwing your ceiling, it doesn’t matter what your opponent does. Your first step is making your best game automatic—every match, every situation.”

Practical Tools for Confidence at Higher Levels

When you move up a division, the mindset shift is simple but powerful:

• Process over outcome. Winning isn’t in your control. Releasing each bag with focus is.

• Ceiling-first focus. Your only job is to hit your typical range (for Chris, 8–8.5 PPR). Nothing else matters.

• Neutralize self-doubt. Recognize that nerves are normal. Use breath, presence, and short cues like “just this bag” to keep grounded.

• Confidence grows with consistency. As you hit your ceiling more often, confidence builds naturally—and opponents’ intimidation loses power.

Final Takeaway

Moving up a division can feel overwhelming. The opponents seem stronger, the pressure feels higher, and confidence can fade. But the truth is, your first battle isn’t against them—it’s against yourself.

By focusing only on throwing your ceiling every game, you remove pressure, simplify your mindset, and give yourself the best chance to grow into the level you belong in.

Because in the end, you’re always only playing you.

👉 Have you recently moved up a division or stepped into tougher competition? Share your experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear what helps you stay confident.