Recursion is a powerful tool in programming, but it can lead to stack overflow if the recursion depth is too large, which is a common issue in competitive programming when handling large inputs. To avoid stack overflow, one solution is to use tail recursion, where the recursive call is the last operation in the function. Some languages, like certain implementations of Python, support tail recursion optimization that reduces stack usage. Another method is to increase the maximum stack size if the language and environment allow it, although this may be restricted in certain online judges. Alternatively, you can convert the recursive solution into an iterative one using a stack data structure, which mimics the recursive call stack and often allows for greater control over memory usage. When tackling problems with deep recursion, understanding these techniques will help you avoid runtime errors related to stack overflow.