---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When a player keeps a calm demeanor on…"
description: "\"When a player keeps a calm demeanor on the court, it's easier for his ability to shine. The best response to an opposing player's physical or psycholog..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/walt-frazier-28230_ability_when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-t_754855.jpg"
---

#  When a player keeps a calm demeanor on the court, it's…

![“When a player keeps a calm demeanor on the court, it's easier for his ability to shine. The best response to an opposing player's physical or psychological tactics is to keep cool and come right back at him with the force of your game, not your fists. Revenge is always sweeter if your team wins…” quote by Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/walt-frazier-28230_ability_when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-t_754855.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/walt-frazier-28230_ability_when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-t_754855.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/walt-frazier-28230_ability_when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-t_754855.jpg)

> “When a player keeps a calm demeanor on the court, it's easier for his ability to shine. The best response to an opposing player's physical or psychological tactics is to keep cool and come right back at him with the force of your game, not your fists. Revenge is always sweeter if your team wins the game.”

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Staying calm under pressure lets skill shine and counters opponents' tactics.

**In simple terms:** Coolness enhances performance and retaliation.

Key Takeaway

Maintain composure, respond with skill.

Themes

self‑control competition resilience

Mood

focused confident

Type

strategic inspirational

When to use this quote

- basketball games
- high‑stakes meetings
- public speaking
- conflict situations

Key Concepts

sports psychology emotional regulation

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you keep calm when provoked?
- When does aggression become necessary?

A Different Perspective

Coolness may be misread as passivity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Calm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm/) [Court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/court/) [Demeanor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demeanor/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Psychological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychological/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) [Shining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shining/) [Tactics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tactics/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/)

## Related quotes

> [“ASK YOURSELF: Do you appear self-confident or unsure? Do you project a calm demeanor or scream instability? Do you come across as a leader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/ask-yourself-do-you-appear-self-confident-or-unsure-do-you-project-a/)

[Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/)

> [“A calm demeanor will deter the danger of words spoken in anger or panic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shmiras-haloshon/a-calm-demeanor-will-deter-the-danger-of-words-spoken-in-anger-or/)

Shmiras Haloshon

> [Of course, the psychological part, the tactics, is very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-bubka/of-course-the-psychological-part-the-tactics-is-very-important/)

[Sergei Bubka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-bubka/)

> [You can't defend against Thomas Muller, it's extremely difficult for defenders. As an opposing player, you never know what he's going to do next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkay-gundogan/you-can-t-defend-against-thomas-muller-it-s-extremely-difficult-for/)

[Ilkay Gundogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkay-gundogan/)

> [I don't go into a game with specific targets. I don't pinpoint an opposing player before a match, trying to exploit a kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/i-don-t-go-into-a-game-with-specific-targets-i-don-t-pinpoint-an/)

[Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/)

> [“What were needed were simple psychological tactics and strategies that worked in the field to calm people down, establish rapport, gain trust, elicit the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/what-were-needed-were-simple-psychological-tactics-and-strategies/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [Mesut is a player that always keeps giving his best and is always surprising everyone and he's a player that we're very grateful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-bellerin/mesut-is-a-player-that-always-keeps-giving-his-best-and-is-always/)

[Hector Bellerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-bellerin/)

> [How can you change things when you are under pressure? You don't tell a player who keeps giving the ball away not to touch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-benitez/how-can-you-change-things-when-you-are-under-pressure-you-don-t-tell/)

[Rafael Benitez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-benitez/)

> [I still believe I'm the best player. That's what keeps me going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-leslie/i-still-believe-i-m-the-best-player-that-s-what-keeps-me-going/)

[Lisa Leslie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-leslie/)

> [She's learned to listen more and improve different aspects of her game. I'm most proud that she's improved her sportsmanship, her demeanor on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-jones/she-s-learned-to-listen-more-and-improve-different-aspects-of-her/)

Elaine Jones

> [When I look at President Obama, I see a leader with a cool head, a caring heart and an open mind, a president who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-crist/when-i-look-at-president-obama-i-see-a-leader-with-a-cool-head-a/)

[Charlie Crist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-crist/)

> [To combat social awkwardness, I would just act like I couldn't be bothered - that kind of aloof persona or aloof demeanor. It's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/to-combat-social-awkwardness-i-would-just-act-like-i-couldn-t-be/)

[Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/)

> [If you think your demeanor is mellow or not particularly charismatic, the material can life you higher. So write everyday, and get onstage or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/if-you-think-your-demeanor-is-mellow-or-not-particularly-charismatic/)

[Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/)

> [Culture is very important to the Mavs… It isn't about who talks the most or the loudest. It is about the demeanor and attitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/culture-is-very-important-to-the-mavs-it-isn-t-about-who-talks-the/)

[Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/)

> [It is worth noticing that those who assume an imposing demeanor and seek to pass themselves off for something beyond what they are, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/it-is-worth-noticing-that-those-who-assume-an-imposing-demeanor-and/)

[Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/)

## More by Walt Frazier

> [“The game within the game is the game that only the players see. They experience it in relation to one another on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-game-within-the-game-is-the-game-that-only-the-players-see-they/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [I took the game seriously. It was my profession. My teammates also took losing hard. We would all sit in the locker room after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/i-took-the-game-seriously-it-was-my-profession-my-teammates-also-took/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [The fans have always supported me; bought my books, attended my camps and wore my sneakers. I will always have a special relationship with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-fans-have-always-supported-me-bought-my-books-attended-my-camps/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [“How did I bridge the gap from depression to elation? Well, I worked hard at improving all aspects of my game. I got stronger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/how-did-i-bridge-the-gap-from-depression-to-elation-well-i-worked/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [“When you're up against adversity, when your shots aren't falling, when guys are hanging on you, pushing you, fouling you, and you're not getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/when-you-re-up-against-adversity-when-your-shots-aren-t-falling-when/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [“Stoudemire is like Alonzo Mourning and my old teammates Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere. He's aggressive and make things happen. He's always hustling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/stoudemire-is-like-alonzo-mourning-and-my-old-teammates-willis-reed/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [“Winning squads emphasize fundamentals-pick and rolls,teamwork,and defense. They play with passion and they play hard. They move the ball, and when their players don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/winning-squads-emphasize-fundamentals-pick-and-rolls-teamwork-and/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [The attitude of wanting to win-doing everything in your power except cheating to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-attitude-of-wanting-to-win-doing-everything-in-your-power-except/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [The star player must slay his ego and learn teamwork and communication skills before he can achieve the ultimate in sport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-star-player-must-slay-his-ego-and-learn-teamwork-and/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [The regular season is where you make your name, but the postseason is where you make your fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-regular-season-is-where-you-make-your-name-but-the-postseason-is/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [“There are different eras and generations, but basketball is still the same. Old school or new school, the fundamentals of the game- passing, dribbling,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/there-are-different-eras-and-generations-but-basketball-is-still-the/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [“Cohesion on the offense, intensity on the defense, is the game plan. When a coach puts multidimensional skilled players on the court who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/cohesion-on-the-offense-intensity-on-the-defense-is-the-game-plan/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [“If I were playing today, I'd steal the ball from these guys when they go under the ball with their hands because that's when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/if-i-were-playing-today-i-d-steal-the-ball-from-these-guys-when-they/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [Building discipline, earning respect and overcoming adversity are all parts of a winning game plan. If you don't have a game plan, where are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/building-discipline-earning-respect-and-overcoming-adversity-are-all/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

> [“All great athletes essentially come to a fork in the road where they have to change their approach to succeed. It's a sign of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/all-great-athletes-essentially-come-to-a-fork-in-the-road-where-they/)

[Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

[Explore all 19 Walt Frazier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/)

## More Ability quotes

> [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/)

[Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/)

> [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

> [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/)

[Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/)

> [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/)

[Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/)

> [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/)

[Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/)

> [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/)

[Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/)

> [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/)

[Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/)

> [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/)

[Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/)

> [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/)

[Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/)

> [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/)

[Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/)

> [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/)

[Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/)

> [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/)

[Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/)

[Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When a player keeps a calm demeanor on the court, it's easier for his ability to shine. The best response to an opposing player's physical or psychological tactics is to keep cool and come right back at him with the force of your game, not your fists. Revenge is always sweeter if your team wins the game.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Walt Frazier"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-the-court-it-s-easier-for-his/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ability"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-the-court-it-s-easier-for-his/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/walt-frazier-28230_ability_when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-t_754855.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/walt-frazier-28230_ability_when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-t_754855.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/walt-frazier-28230_ability_when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-t_754855.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When a player keeps a calm demeanor on the court, it's easier for his ability to shine. The best response to…” — Walt Frazier",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Walt Frazier",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When a player keeps a calm...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-the-court-it-s-easier-for-his/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-the-court-it-s-easier-for-his/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
