52 Weeks of Mental Mastery - Week 5: Play Present
Week 5: Play Present ~ The only play you can make is the one you’re in
💬 Quote
“Be where your feet are.”
— Nick Saban
🔍 Question
When the pressure’s on, do you stay locked in or drift to the past or future?
📖 Story
In the 2022 Super Bowl, with just over a minute left, Cooper Kupp was at the center of the Rams’ final drive.
Everyone in the stadium knew he was getting the ball. He had already dropped one earlier and was facing a defense designed to stop him.
But Kupp didn’t live in the last play or play to the scoreboard, he stayed present.
Route. Catch. Reset. Next play.
He caught the go-ahead touchdown and was named Super Bowl MVP.
The moment didn’t control him.
He controlled the moment by playing present.
🧠 Science
Your brain can’t fully focus on two moments at once.
When you're caught in the past (a mistake) or the future (what if…), your performance drops.
But when you stay present, your brain:
Processes information faster
Makes sharper decisions
Reacts more instinctively
Playing present keeps you in the zone where your training takes over.
👣 Step Forward – Next Play Reset
Train your focus with a Next Play Reset routine:
Physical Cue: Clap, snap, touch your jersey; something to signal ‘reset’
Verbal Cue: Say “Next Play” or your cue word (e.g. “Lock In”)
Visual Cue: Lock eyes on the coach, the play, or your teammate — anchor in the now
You can’t make the last play again.
You can’t make the next play yet.
Play present because the only play you can make is the one you’re in.
