​In order to simulate high pressure environments, professional athletes are under the threat of waterboarding

Just watched an NFL game where the kicker missed a kick, that, if he made it, would have saved his team’s season. The announcer immediately said that there’s no way to simulate the pressure of a game winning kick. That can’t possibly be true.

Before practicing something that’s theoretically easy but becomes difficult in a high pressure situation (a free throw, field goal attempt, catching a fly ball), the player gets waterboarded so they’re full of adrenaline and scared as shit. Then, tell them that if they miss, they’ll get waterboarded again. Over time, they’ll become more accustomed to being under a lot of pressure, and they won’t miss it when it’s important.