Mastery rehearsal requires athletes to induce a relaxed state and then to visually imagine themselves performing in a particularly stressful situation with perfect execution. Athletes are usually asked to develop a written script for perfect performance and to convert this script into a cassette tape recording. They are then instructed to listen to the tape at least once a day. Coping rehearsal, on the other hand, attempts to anticipate inappropriate thoughts and feelings likely to occur in highly stressful situations. A group of athletes draw up a master list of situations which they have experienced prior to, during, or following competition and which have elicited emotionally charged and distracting throughts. The distracting thoughts and feelings are detailed. Then a strategy for gaining self-control is described. Basically, four short steps will be implemented each time a distracting thought enters the mind. Step one is to recognize the distracting thought as quickly as possible. Step two requires the individual to shout the word 'stop' to end the inappropriate thought. In step three, the individual repeats the words 'let go' and 'easy', which have been associated with previously learned relaxation training. They initiate an immediate relaxation response. Step four has the individual repeat a positive word or thought appropriate to the desired attentional target. Figures, photographs, and five footnotes are provided.