Managing Pressure

"Pressure is playing a $5 Nassau with $2 in your pocket." - Professional golfer Lee Trevino.

Professional and Olympic athletes embraced Stoic philosophy whose key tenet is "Control what you can control." 

Regardless of the stakes, focus on the matter at hand: 

1) Know your job. 

2) Focus on doing it well. "Be where your feet are." 

3) Be detail-oriented... communicate and execute.

4) Keep the team first. 

The mini-huddles between plays allow for positive messaging, encouragement, and refocusing on the "next play." 

"Dot B" = .B = "stop and take a breath." A cleansing breath allows you to focus on the next play. 

Focus on the process, not on the outcome. TTP means "trust the process." Game action or even tryouts are the tip of the iceberg of preparation that you have invested to become proficient. 

In Performing Under Pressure, Weisinger and Pawliw-Fry emphasize building a "COTE of arms," - confidence, optimism, tenacity, and enthusiasm. 

• "Confidence comes from proven success." Take ownership of your ability, game understanding, athleticism, and resilience. 
• Optimism says, "Run your race." Do what you did that got you here. 
• Tenacity. Embrace the grind. From the opening serve or serve-receive, be the honey badger. The honey badger has no fear. It's in the fight. 
• Enthusiasm. "Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm." You are surrounded by teammates who love volleyball and love to compete. Enjoy the ride. 

Lagniappe. Mireya Luis had only one fear in volleyball, that someday her foot would get caught in the net.