Written by Howard Schwartz, NTangible’s Lead Sports Psychologist

One of the biggest differences between good athletes and great athletes isn’t just talent — it’s how they handle pressure. In my 40 years of working with professional athletes, college stars, and elite high school players, one thing stands out: if you want to be clutch, you have to know how to control your emotions.

When the game is on the line — bases loaded, last inning, two outs — it’s normal to feel your heart race and your mind speed up. But if you let those feelings take over, they can distract you from what you actually need to do: hit the ball, make the play, pitch your best. Instead of focusing on the situation (“We’re down by a run! Everyone’s watching!”), the best athletes focus only on their job. The situation doesn’t change the basics — your goal is always to do the small, simple things you’ve trained for.

Recently, I worked with a high school softball pitcher who was being recruited by big Division I schools. She was incredible during practice and early innings. But when the pressure was on — late in the game, tight situations — she struggled. She told me her mind would go blank, her muscles would freeze, and she even worried she might faint. The fear of messing up would take over her thoughts: “Oh no, here we go again,” or “Not this again.”

It’s easy to see how that kind of thinking could wreck her focus. But the good news? Emotional regulation — learning how to calm yourself down and reset — is a skill you can absolutely train, just like your swing or your footwork.

Here’s how we worked on it:

Every day, she spent 10 minutes practicing relaxation breathing. She would listen to calming sounds (like ocean waves), close her eyes, and imagine lying peacefully on a beach. She would breathe in slowly through her nose, then out through her mouth, whispering “relax” as she exhaled. After a few minutes, her body and mind started to match the rhythm.

After each session, she would write and repeat positive statements to herself, like: – “You are a talented pitcher.” – “You’ve proven you can get batters out.” – “Breathe and let it go.”

At first, it felt a little strange. But after a few days, her body started to believe the messages her brain was sending. After about a week, she told me she was feeling excited — not scared — for her next big game.

When she pitched at her next showcase, she crushed it. She stayed calm, trusted her training, and performed like the athlete she had always been — she just had to unlock it by managing her emotions.

So remember: it’s not about being fearless. It’s about recognizing when your emotions are starting to overwhelm you, then using your tools to reset. Breathing, self-talk, visualization — these aren’t just “extra” skills. They’re the foundation for being a true competitor.

The next time you see a pro athlete take a deep breath, step back, or close their eyes for a second — now you know. They’re not just wasting time. They’re managing their moment. You can too.

Now you can take the first step. NTangible has partnered with Alliance Fastpitch to bring cutting-edge mental testing to athletes like you—at 50% off. The NTangible test is the first to give you an objective number for your readiness in the biggest moments. It sets your mental performance baseline and tracks your growth as you train your mind. This is your chance to see where you are and build from there.

About NTangible
NTangible has created the first objective, predictive mental test focused on the ability to succeed in high leverage situations. For years, coaches and players have known certain people step up when the game is on the line … and some don’t. Finally, NTangible can answer the question – Are you clutch? Visit NTangible.co for more details.

About the Alliance Fastpitch
The Alliance Fastpitch is a national organizing body for travel softball. The Alliance Fastpitch offers annual memberships for teams, athletes, and coaches. Our national competition structure provides a clear pathway to your season starting with regional play that leads to a national event. Alliance Fastpitch competition includes league play, an in-season tournament series called the Super Cup Series, National Championships, and a player identification program called the Stars of Tomorrow Series.