The aim of the study was to examine possible differences in the use of performance strategies of college going athletes of different type of sports and gender. The sample consisted of 68 athletes from Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education Gwalior (36 males, 32 females), aged 21.04 ± 1.75 years, with different sports (team sport and individual sport). The Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS-Thomas, Murphy, and Hardy, 1999) was used. The participants completed the TOPS questionnaire during the competition season of 2011-12 sessions. The results showed that there were significant differences in performance strategies used by male and female athletes during competition and practice condition, further there are significant differences in performance strategies used by athletes of team sports and individual sports during practice and competition condition. During both practice and competition condition female athletes were better compared to male athletes in emotional control, whereas male athletes perform better than female athletes in goal setting, Self talk, imagery and attentional control in practice condition and automaticity, self-talk, imagery, attention control and activation during competition condition. Individual sports athletes had better emotional control than team sports athletes during practice and competition condition whereas team sports athletes were better than individual athletes in relaxation and activation during practice condition. The differences between athletes of different sports and gender could be considered from coaches and sport psychologists in order to help athletes improve their athletic performance