In the last two minutes of a tied game, people don’t follow the fastest player. They follow the calmest breathing.

Panic and steadiness are both contagious, and under pressure people scan for whichever is available. A calm body communicates faster than any instruction, because everyone is reading posture and tone before they process the words. Whoever is least agitated at the critical moment tends to end up being followed, regardless of who was supposed to be in charge.

Work on your breathing before you work on your speech, since the first is what people actually receive. Slow your movements down deliberately when things get tight. If you cannot feel calm, at least do not perform the alternative.