The moment:

It’s the morning of the game. Your kid hasn’t eaten much. You ask if they’re okay. They say “I’m fine” in a way that means they’re not fine. You don’t push. But you notice.

The insight:

Appetite drops when the nervous system is activated. Your athlete isn’t being difficult — their body is doing exactly what bodies do before high-stakes moments. The stomach tightens. Food feels wrong. It’s threat response, not a problem. The fact that they’re feeling it means the game matters to them.

One thing to try:

Don’t make the food a thing. Offer something small and familiar — a banana, toast, whatever they normally like. Put it in front of them without comment. If they eat it, good. If they don’t, let it go. The goal before a game isn’t a full stomach. It’s one less thing to negotiate.

One moment. One insight. One thing to try. The Pregame arrives every week.