It is the ability to maintain control, despite the burden of tremendous pressures and expectations.

In addition to the task of managing pressure, emotional intelligence allows these three athletic superstars to be efficient and effective while competing. With a remarkable gift for scoring goals, and owning nearly every scoring record in NHL history, Gretzky was remarkably efficient while playing. He never appeared flustered or out of control, despite his intensity. Similarly, Jordan and Woods are both tremendously focused despite environments that would distract almost anyone else.

In Wood's recent record victories at the U.S. and British Opens, he awed his opponents with his focus and control. One example of this control is a patiences and restraint beyond his years. Imagine being able to hit a golf ball further than virtually every other professional, but choosing to hit a short safe shot instead because you know that the key to winning is avoiding mistakes rather than taking chances. This type of self-restraint is a sign of emotional intelligence; it takes great mental discipline and a talent that requires work to achieve.

Michael Jordan developed emotional intellegence over time, learning when to attack and when to be patient. By the end of his career, Jordan learned to save his best performance for the most important moments at the end of the game - for the win. This consistent ability to remain in control and act decisively when it counted led Jordan's teammate Luc Longley to describe him with one word, "Predator!"

Training Tip

Emotional self-control is the key to competitive success. Great athletes know when to act and when to be patient. Controlling fear, anger, frustration and confidence is an athletes responsibility, and you should work as hard on emotional intelligence as on the physical part of your sport. It doesn't matter if you are in a bad or unfair situation or if you are under real pressure. You may not be able to change your environment, but you can change your response to it. This is your job, and no one else's.

Coaching Point

As a coach you can help athletes develop emotional intelligence by acknowledging that a situation is tough, but emphasizing that there are many ways to respond. Ask the athlete to develop two responses, one that helps and one that hurts performance. Ask them to make a choice; don't do it for them. Your job is to control as much of the environment as possible and model positive responses to the things you can't control. It helps if coaches work regularly to enhance their own emotional intellegence!