Realize that stress is not all bad
Some individuals can be motivated by a certain amount of stress. This has certainly been true for me. An amount of stress pushes me to focus on the priorities and details needed at the time.
Keep you cool
The most crucial step in handling stress is to keep in mind that your reaction to a situation (e.g., a dropped pass, a missed tackle, etc.) is often the primary cause of stress, not the situation itself. This is primarily true for coaches and players that lead -- point guards, quarterbacks, catchers. Keeping your composure allows you to think through the stress.
Don't sweat the small stuff
Save your energy for dealing with the larger issues. As Coach Don Meyer would say: "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."
Visualize
Close your eyes and visualize yourself in a more positive, serene setting (e.g., celebrating a victory, being congratulated on a job well done, etc.). You must have a method that allows you focus on the goal in a concentrated manner.
Prioritize
When you're feeling overwhelmed (i.e., a defender is continually bull rushing over your), some steps are more important than others. Mentally make a list of things you need to do (e.g., move your feet, get into a proper position, keep your hands and arms up, etc.) and then perform the tasks as necessary. This above all is important. It goes back to what Walsh believes in to his core -- process over result. Missing the tackling is the result. Your feet, positioning, hands and arms -- they are part of the process. Lock in on executing the process and the result will take care of themselves.
Identify the causes of stress in your life
What causes you the most worry and concern? Once you know the causes, you'll be in a position to decide whether or not you can change them. It's just like a doctor. You must examine the patient, find the cause of illness and pain and then it's location before you can cure it.
