028 - Mastering the Moment: Emotional Control Under Pressure

In this episode, Mental Toughness Coach, Gladine Frasso (Coach G.) and WNBA Skills and Development Coach David Anderson dive deep into the critical topic of emotional control in high-pressure situations. Drawing from years of experience coaching athletes at every level—from middle school to the WNBA—they discuss common negative emotions that arise during competition, how these emotions affect performance, and actionable strategies to help athletes bounce back stronger. They go over:

1. Common Negative Emotions in Athletes:

   • Self-doubt, frustration, and loss of confidence after failure.
   • The social pressure of failing in today’s digital age and how it affects mental resilience.

2. Impact of Emotional Reactions on Teams:

   • How negative gestures and frustration can disrupt team dynamics.
   • The ripple effect of poor emotional control from team leaders to teammates.

3. Coaching Insights and Strategies:

   • Why situational practices are key to preparing athletes for high-pressure scenarios.
   • The importance of "palms down" as a physical cue to calm emotions and refocus.
   • How to address emotional outbursts without discouraging players.

4. Dealing with Highly Emotional Athletes:

   • Techniques to help athletes manage pregame anxiety and frustration after mistakes.
   • How to emphasize effort, resilience, and positivity to build mental toughness.

5. Spotlight on Success:

   • Shoutout to Lainie Grant, University of North Carolina point guard, who exemplifies resilience and emotional control as a young athlete thriving on the national stage.

Have a Question or Topic Suggestion? Email us at GladineFrasso@IAmMentallyTough.com

Follow Coach G on her Instagram HERE

Follow Coach David on his Instagram HERE