A new approach to Mental Toughness

The One Skill All Coaches Need

If you want to develop mental toughness in your team, there is one skill that sits above them all. Psychologists refer to it as psychological flexibility. Mental toughness isn’t about shutting down emotions or ignoring adversity. It’s the ability to act in a way that is aligned with your values and game plan, even when you are under pressure and face difficult thoughts and emotions. And the skill that makes this possible? Psychological flexibility.

Psychological flexibility has strong scientific support as research shows it is a key predictor of well-being and performance outcomes; studies demonstrate that individuals with greater psychological flexibility lead to improved performance under pressure.

So, what does psychological flexibility look like in action? It comes down to three things: being Present, Open, and Doing What Matters.

Present

Being present means locking into the moment instead of getting stuck in the past or jumping ahead to the future. It’s the ability to notice what’s happening—both internally and externally—without getting pulled away from the task at hand.

Open

Difficult thoughts and emotions aren’t problems to be avoided—they’re a natural and unavoidable aspect of being a performer. When there is uncertainty about something important to us (i.e., the outcome of a game) we should expect the difficult thoughts and emotions to show up. The skill isn’t eliminating them but making room for them. By "unhooking" or distancing from them — you create space to respond intentionally, not reactively.

Doing What Matters

Values guide the way. Under pressure, it’s easy to play it safe or avoid mistakes. Clarity on what matters AND what this looks like behaviorally - gives you a north star to guide your actions. Values-driven action leads to consistent and sustainable performance.

The Bottom Line

Coaches who embody psychological flexibility create teams that are resilient, adaptable, and tough under pressure. If you want to build mental toughness in your program, start by developing this skill in yourself.

Athletes don’t just listen—they watch.

Through vicarious learning, they absorb how coaches handle pressure and face difficult thoughts and emotions.

Modeling presence, openness, and your team’s values isn’t just good leadership—it’s shaping how your team will respond in big moments