A well-timed joke can reset a tense practice faster than any lecture. Just make sure nobody is the punchline.

Tension narrows everyone, and a laugh widens the room again in a way that instruction cannot. The catch is direction: humor pointed at a person in the room relieves the tension for everybody except them, and buys the moment at somebody’s expense. Aimed at the situation, or at yourself, it costs nothing.

When things are tight, try a light remark about the circumstances rather than a serious one about the problem. Check who would be laughing and who would be laughed at before you open your mouth. If you cannot tell, make yourself the target.