Choking describes performing significantly worse than usual specifically because of the pressure of the moment. It's not simply playing badly — it's the experience of an athlete who is fully capable failing to execute precisely when it matters most, despite wanting to succeed.
Psychologists generally explain choking through two mechanisms. Distraction theories suggest pressure consumes attention with worries about outcomes and consequences, leaving less available for the task. Self-focus (or "explicit monitoring") theories suggest pressure makes athletes over-attend to skills that are normally automatic, disrupting their natural execution — like suddenly thinking about every step while walking.
Choking is largely a problem of arousal regulation and attention. It can be reduced by tools that keep attention on the right things and arousal in the optimal range: a consistent pre-performance routine, controlled breathing, an external focus cue, and rehearsing pressure in advance so the moment feels familiar. As our article Pressure Is a Privilege explains, how an athlete relates to pressure also strongly affects whether they rise to it or freeze.