Slow the moment down. One deep breath, one clear thought — calm creates clarity.

Anchor to your routine. Familiar actions tell your brain you’ve been here before.

Compete, don’t evaluate. Stop judging how it’s going and start executing what’s next.

“Calm is not weakness — it’s control.”

Billie Jean King: “Pressure is a privilege. It only comes to those who earn it.”

Control your own reactions. Your energy travels faster than your words.

Emphasize effort over outcome. Composure grows when fear of results shrinks.

Reinforce preparation. Remind them they’ve already done the work — now it’s time to trust it.

“A calm presence builds confident competitors.”

“Pressure feels heavier when athletes think they’re carrying it alone.”

Practice under stress. Simulate pressure so calm becomes a trained response.

Model emotional control. Athletes copy how you handle officials, mistakes, and momentum swings.

Use simple cues. Short reminders like “breathe,” “next,” or “trust it” help athletes reset fast.

John Wooden: “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

“Composure is a skill — and like any skill, it can be trained.”