Handling Pressure

"Pressure is playing a five-dollar Nassau with two-dollars in your pocket." - Lee Trevino

Pressure degrades performance. "Handling pressure" means that in the moment, your performance dropped off less than your opponent's. 

MVB handles it. 

2003. Andover's Dunn Gymnasium. AC came in 22-0 without losing a set. Melrose had never won anything. Melrose left with a stunning 3-0 upset and its first Sectional Title.  

2009. Greeted at Barnstable in 2008 with the musical strains of "M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E," Melrose remembered. At the friendlier confines of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, Hannah Brickley and Company sent the Red Raiders home empty-handed, 3-0. 

2012. "Too vanilla," some said. Melrose captures the State Championship, capping off a 26-1 season. 

2021. Billerica. Headed for a crushing defeat in the fifth set, Melrose turns around a 10-3 deficit to win 16-14 with a 13-4 closing run. The enduring lessons included 1) never give up and 2) you have to win points against quality opponents, not rely on them surrendering points. 

Simulating pressure? Scrimmaging with deficits is one way many coaches simulate pressure. Another way is DEEP HIT CHALLENGE.

 

The best drills incorporate offense, defense, and competition. 

What other pressure tips belong? Remember the "COTE of armor" that employs:

Confidence - "Confidence comes from proven success." - Bill Parcells

Optimism - Find a pile of horse manure in your back yard on Christmas. There's a pony in there somewhere. 

Tenacity - Never. Ever. Quit. 

Enthusiasm - "Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm." 

Lagniappe. Believe.