As a former pro basketball player and WNBA Champion, I'm used to operating in high pressure situations. Competitors learn to excel under the most taxing physical and mental conditions. Does that mean we handle stress any better than the next person? Not really.

But what being an elite athlete does is reveal more of who you are under pressure. I know tons of well-paid, highly intelligent athletes who consistently crack under pressure. They can't hit a free throw to save their lives. They can't sink a putt. They can't make a field goal. So, what's the point of being a pro athlete if you don't learn how to be cooler than the other side of the pillow when it counts?

It's all a process. And at the end of the day, athletes are really no better under pressure than anyone else. There are as many of us who shut down, run away or shy away when things get tough, as there are who gut it up, put our nose to the grindstone and get it done. Shocking but true.

Smoking herb...at least those NBA players LOL

As a Hypnotherapist I deal with athletes all of the time. From the casual golfer to Olympic swimmer. What I found is that the successful athlete obviously see's the benefit of the physical practice of the their given sport but they are also enrolled in the idea of mental practice. So when they are not on the field they are going through the game or event in their minds. Its well known that when an athlete is injured the only place they can practice is using visualization when they heal its as if they have not missed a beat.

Every one gets nervous but to get be a pro you must come up with way to deal with your fears and nerves and step though them.

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usually people think they feel nervous is becuase of the crowd but it actually help you. when they cheer for you, it makes you feel better and it pumps you up and they encourage you to play harder.