Handling Pressure: Coaching Athletes Through High-Stakes Moments

Pressure can bring out the best—or the worst—in athletes. While some thrive under the spotlight, others freeze, fight, or fade when the stakes are high. In this episode of the Cognelite Coaches Power Huddle, Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, unpacks how coaches can help athletes embrace pressure as a privilege and perform with confidence when it matters most.We’ll dive into:✅ Why pressure impacts athletes' mindset and performance✅ The brain-body response behind fight, flight, and freeze moments✅ Practical tools to help athletes stay grounded and reset after mistakes✅ How to design practices that prepare athletes for pressure✅ What coaches can do (and avoid) to create a culture that thrives under stressWhether your team is gearing up for playoffs or navigating everyday competitive challenges, this episode will equip you with strategies to help your athletes handle pressure like champions.📌 Follow us on Instagram @Cognelite for more mental performance tips for coaches and teams.🎧 Tune in each month for fresh conversations designed to elevate your coaching impact.