Handling Pressure, Supporting Your Athlete, and Coaching for Growth
Hey, team, happy Sunday!
Pressure is part of the game—whether you're competing, supporting your athlete, or coaching a team. This week, we’re breaking down how to handle it like a pro.
Table of Contents
For Athletes: How to Perform Under Pressure
3 Strategies to Stay Cool in Big Moments
Pressure is a privilege. If you feel it, it means you’re in a position that matters. Flip the mindset from fear to opportunity.
Breathe to reset. A slow inhale and exhale can calm nerves, clear your mind, and get you back in the zone.
Trust your preparation. Pressure exposes whether you put in the work. If you have, there’s no need to overthink—just execute.
2 Quotes to Keep You Locked In
Kobe Bryant: “Everything negative—pressure, challenges—is all an opportunity for me to rise.”
Billie Jean King: "Champions keep playing until they get it right."
1 Question to Reflect On
When was the last time you felt pressure? How did you respond, and how can you improve next time?
For Parents: Helping Your Athlete Manage Stress
3 Ways to Support Without Adding Pressure
Listen more, fix less. Sometimes, they just need to vent, not get a solution.
Separate your emotions from their performance. If you stay calm, they’ll learn to do the same.
Praise their effort, not just the outcome. If they only hear praise after a win, they’ll tie their worth to results.
2 Quotes to Keep in Mind
John Wooden: "A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment." (Same goes for parents!)
Simone Biles: "I'd rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all."
1 Question to Reflect On
Are your words and actions helping your athlete feel supported, or are they adding to their stress?
For Coaches: Building a Growth-Oriented Team Culture
3 Ways to Create an Environment Where Athletes Thrive
Set high standards, but give athletes room to fail. Growth happens in the space between expectations and grace.
Teach players how to manage mistakes. If they fear failure, they’ll play small. If they see it as learning, they’ll play bold.
Make your practices harder than games. When they’ve been pushed in training, pressure in competition won’t shake them.
2 Quotes to Inspire Your Leadership
Nick Saban: "Mediocre people don’t like high achievers, and high achievers don’t like mediocre people."
Tony Dungy: "You can’t always control circumstances, but you can control your attitude, effort, and focus."
1 Question to Reflect On
Does your team feel challenged and supported at the same time?
Want to help others handle pressure like a pro? Share this newsletter.
Until next week, keep pushing forward.
David Lovell
Mental Performance Coach | Creator of the F.O.C.U.S. System
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