I've been hearing Bernstein's thoughts on the alleged myth of clutch for years. However, I didn't learn until today that he believes in the flip side of the coin, choke. For what it's worth, I've always taken it as a given that both exist.

Choke exists. See Romo, Tony.

I heard that and he implied having seen data that confirms the existence of ‘choke’’ whereas as no such evidence exists for clutch.

He’s got a religious like faith in statistical measurements he doesn’t understand.

I heard that and he implied having seen data that confirms the existence of ‘choke’’ whereas as no such evidence exists for clutch.

He’s got a religious like faith in statistical measurements he doesn’t understand.

Wouldn't the guys who don't "choke" automatically be "clutch"?

His definition of clutch is anyone who maintains their level of play in high pressure moments. That's why he thought clutch doesn't exist, it's just a guy doing what he normally would do.

Unless he choked.

Wouldn't the guys who don't "choke" automatically be "clutch"?

sports like baseball and golf where increased effort doesn't make someone perform better.

David Ortiz was clearly clutch

Probably some psychological reasons for that, both on Big Papi's part and his opponents

How do you know it doesn't? Because dan bernstein who never played anything at a significant level repeatedly says so?

There can be too much hustle in every sport. "Be quick, but don't hurry". Baseball and golf are sports, but they are sort of knockoffs on sports. Baseball is all specialized, especially pitching, and a far 2nd, catching. There is a time for pure effort, but it's rare. It's a sport of focus. Rah rah really doesn't get you anywhere. It gets you struck out.

No because they don't improve their play in high leverage situations rather they keep it at the same level. And people shouldn't confuse being clutch with trying harder. We know in basketball, football, and hockey that a sustained, increased effort can result in better performance but that isn't clutch. We've all seen veteran players and teams coast during the regular season and turn it on during the playoffs. That's not being clutch. Clutch and choke in Bernstein's context is dealing with sports like baseball and golf where increased effort doesn't make someone perform better. On the contrary it often makes players less effective in those sports. But definitely players can choke when they wilt under the pressure of the moment and their performance decreases. The idea of clutch is the result of a small sample size, hot streaks, and happenstance.

I think we all understand Bernstein's thoughts on this. But thanks for repeating them here.

Performance under pressure is clutch. Some people have the ability to rise to the moment and some people don't. Even if you call it keeping it at same level (and I disagree with that premise). That's clutch.