Every athlete steps into competition with a mindset, whether they realize it or not. Sometimes it’s sharp and aggressive, focused on creating opportunities and pushing the pace. Other times, it’s guarded and cautious, more concerned with avoiding mistakes than making plays. At Outrival, we see this difference clearly: there are athletes who play to win, and there are athletes who play not to lose.
The distinction is more than language. It’s a fundamental shift in how an athlete approaches pressure, risk, and opportunity. It shapes decisions in real time, determines how an athlete responds to setbacks, and ultimately decides the impact they have on the game.
Playing to win is proactive. Playing not to lose is reactive.
One mindset drives growth. The other quietly limits it.
What Playing to Win Looks Like
Playing to win is an assertive, forward-driving mindset. It’s not about reckless risk-taking—it’s about seizing control of the moment. Athletes playing to win trust their preparation. They lean into their training, they execute with confidence, and they take opportunities without hesitating.
These athletes move with purpose. They’re willing to make the smart, aggressive play, even if it doesn’t guarantee a perfect outcome. They’re comfortable with the idea that mistakes happen because they know their success is defined by how they respond, not by how perfectly they avoid error.
What Playing Not to Lose Looks Like
Playing not to lose is a defensive posture. It’s cautious, hesitant, and often driven by fear of failure. Athletes in this mindset focus more on avoiding mistakes than on making meaningful plays. They shy away from risk, even when the reward could change the game.
This mindset often comes from pressure—pressure from the scoreboard, the coach, the crowd, or even from themselves. Instead of seeing opportunity, the athlete sees potential danger. Instead of trusting their skills, they second-guess and pull back.
Why the Difference Matters
When an athlete plays to win, they create momentum. Their energy is contagious. They inspire teammates, they pressure opponents, and they force the game to bend toward them. Even in failure, they learn faster because they’re putting themselves in positions to make something happen.
When an athlete plays not to lose, they surrender initiative. They let the game dictate their moves. They’re more likely to be reactive, waiting for the opponent to act before they respond. Over time, this erodes confidence because the athlete spends more time avoiding than advancing.
Outrival Academy
Outrival Academy is where the next generation of hockey athletes sharpen their edge—on the ice and beyond. Whether you’re an individual player, a club, or a full association, Outrival delivers hands-on coaching, advanced training, and strategic support through our national network of certified performance experts.
The Role of Coaching
At Outrival, we coach athletes to recognize and reject the “not to lose” mindset. We push them into high-pressure situations in training specifically to expose hesitation. Then we coach through it. We help them see where fear-based decisions are costing them opportunities, and we challenge them to reframe those moments.
Coaching to play to win means creating an environment where calculated risk is valued. It means rewarding the right decision even when the result isn’t perfect. It means teaching athletes that the game rewards those who act, not just those who avoid error.
The Parent Perspective
Parents can spot this shift, too. When their athlete talks about the game in terms of chances taken, lessons learned, and moments seized, they’re playing to win. When they talk mostly about mistakes avoided or playing it safe, they’re leaning toward the “not to lose” mindset.
Parents play a role in reinforcing this approach. Asking questions about effort, decision-making, and mindset—rather than only outcomes—can help athletes stay in a proactive frame of mind.
Shifting the Mindset
Changing from playing not to lose to playing to win starts in practice. It starts by taking more ownership in drills, by competing in small battles, and by embracing the discomfort of making mistakes in the name of growth.
Athletes can train themselves to spot hesitation and replace it with action. Coaches can build in scenarios that require decisive movement and assertive decision-making. Parents can support the mindset by praising effort and courage, not just results.
Why Outrival Values Playing to Win
Playing to win aligns with everything we believe about athlete development. It builds resilience, leadership, and confidence. It demands focus and presence. And most importantly, it prepares athletes for the reality of competition at higher levels, where hesitation is a weakness opponents exploit.
Our training systems, our combines, and our feedback all push athletes toward this mindset. Because when you’re built to Outrival standards, you’re not out there to avoid mistakes. You’re out there to create moments.
The Long-Term Impact
Over a career, the difference between these two mindsets is enormous. Athletes who play to win develop faster, handle adversity better, and leave the game with fewer regrets. Athletes who play not to lose often plateau early because they spend too much time in their comfort zone. In sports—and life—growth belongs to the proactive.
