Stress affects the thought processes of all of us. As our stress level rises, the primitive structures of our brain that have been tasked with our basic survival are engaged. The amygdala, our brain's "alarm system" begins to fire, activating the Acute Stress Response, also known as "Fight or Flight" or, more accurately "Fight/Flight/Freeze". This response increases our blood pressure and heart rate, quickens our breathing, and tenses our muscles. The raw emotional impulses that kept us alive when confronted with angry bears or hungry saber-tooth tigers begin to take over. However, when these raw impulses come into play within the context of sports performance, this response works against athletes and coaches. The intensity of the "alarm bell" overwhelms us, interfering with the muscle memory built up over time and fueling unhelpful emotions such as anxiety and anger. Examples in the sporting arena are many: the football player who "loses his cool" and is charged with a costly penalty, the golfer who misses the "easy" putt under pressure, the basketball team with the big lead that "tightens up" and "chokes" the game away. When it comes to strategy within sports, decision-making is affected as well. The thought process of players and coaches become more rigid, and "tunnel vision" takes over. Our mind "freezes" as the primitive impulses that encouraged us to hide from dangerous predators take control.