Relax. Eyes. Body.

Relax.
Eyes.
Body.

Those are the three things that every athlete needs to master when they are in the middle of the action.

The first step is to relax. When in the middle of the game, especially in a pressure situation, our brains fight/flight/or freeze mode is activated. For some athletes, that means that they get anxious and move too fast. For some athletes, that means that they freeze and don't react fast enough. For some athletes, that means panic and swing (or kick) away. It takes 10 seconds for the body to process that adrenaline rush that causes us to react, but we don't have 10 seconds in the middle of the moment. Be aware of what mode you dive into under pressure, and work hard to stay centered and focused on the task. One of my kid's default mode is to fight. She gets anxious and rushes the process. My keywords for her are 'relax' or 'breathe.' she needs to take a moment, even in the middle of the action, and center herself so that she can make the next, best play.

After we learn how to relax, we can see the situation for what it is. Am I open? Where is space? Is a teammate open? What options do I have? I tell my players all of the time to see what is going on, then read and make the next play. I often see players rushing and throwing or kicking a pass without even looking to see if that play is open. Relax and see what you are doing, then execute.

The last step is controlling your body. You are relaxed and you see the next play; now you need to make sure that your body is in a position to make the play. Know how to get in a good, athletic stance that you can move out of with power, grace, and explosiveness. Know how to shield and protect yourself with your body. Know how to get your head and shoulders around a defender to create a better position. Know how to get low and activate your leg muscles so that you can power through.

Success starts with slowing down the game. The next step is seeing the game. The final step is making sure your body is in a position to make the play to win the game.