Why Two NFL Coaching Transitions Have Affected Team Anxiety and
Confidence  Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse more stories Why
Two NFL Coaching Transitions Have Affected Team Anxiety and
Confidence Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Harbaugh was
instrumental in rebuilding Smith's self-confidence  Every
football player with a pulse and a pair of tight pants has felt
the familiar squeeze of anxiety clinching tightly around their
chest. The pressure to perform amidst the fear of failure can
either paralyze or empower a player depending upon one’s
character, external perceptions, self-confidence and even
experience level.  This potent chemical response in the brain
and body plays a critical role in the performance of athletes
everywhere. This is especially true of athletes competing in one
of the most violent team sports in the world, at the highest
levels of competition. It only seems reasonable to say self-
confidence is an absolute necessity to survive the NFL.
However, if an athlete is able to completely aba