Stop

What STOP Is

The intentional interruption of cognitive flooding, emotional acceleration, or sympathetic overactivation.

STOP restores the system to a regulated, deliberate state.

Practice Use

• After technical errors

• Before complex drills

• Between stations when tempo becomes rushed

• When frustration or disconnection appears

Success Indicators

Shoulders drop, tempo steadies, eyes reorient to the court

Game Use

After errors, Before serving’ During momentum swings, After tense or unfair calls

Coach Cues

Palm down, wrist tap, soft “Pause,” slow nod.