Locking In: How to Get in the Zone and Stay There
You’ve probably heard someone say, “Alright, time to lock in,” before a big match, but what does that actually mean beyond the hype? Locking in is all about getting mentally dialed into the game, cutting out distractions, and hitting that flow state where your reactions feel sharp and your decisions feel instinctive. When you’re locked in, you’re fully present in the match. There are no tilted emotions, no wandering thoughts about your next snack break… just you, your mouse, and the win.
Locking in is more than just a mindset; it’s a performance multiplier. Whether you’re grinding through a competitive ladder or queuing in casuals for gameplay reps, being fully focused helps you process information faster, make better plays, and respond to threats with clarity. On the flip side, playing half-distracted or casually tabbing between games and Discord chats usually leads to sloppy aim, missed callouts, and a frustrating climb. Competitive games are won on the edge of milliseconds, and locking in helps you claim those edges. As Tan Te explained to Wayne and Jimmy on a recent episode of the Aimlabs Podcast, the mental state is vital in high-performance sports to how effectively someone can play and perform. Locking in is critical.
So, how do you actually get locked in? Start with your pre-game ritual. Warm-ups in Aimlabs are a great way to ease into focus mode, even just a quick playlist or a few plays through a few tasks that are relevant to your game of choice. Then, set your space up for success. Close extra tabs, mute unnecessary notifications, and put your phone out of sight (and preferably out of reach). The fewer distractions, the easier it is to stay mentally in the game.
During matches, use little habits to keep your brain engaged. Remind yourself of team comms priorities, review your goals between rounds, or just take a few deep breaths to reset when needed. Locking in doesn’t mean staying tensed up… it means being present, aware, and clear-headed. And if you find your focus slipping mid-session, that’s normal. Step away for a few minutes, stretch, grab water, and come back with the intent to refocus.
Locking in is a skill just like aim or movement: it takes practice. The more you train your brain to enter that focused mode, the easier it becomes to snap into it when it counts. So next time you boot up for a session, take a few minutes to lock in. You’ll play better, feel more in control, and enjoy the grind a whole lot more.