Psychology

Was it a clutch performance? A qualitative exploration of the definitional boundaries of clutch performance

M. J. Schweickle, S. A. Vella, et al.

Athletes’ clutch moments—positive performances under pressure—are variably defined. In interviews with 24 athletes, researchers found clutch judged primarily by achievement of self-referenced goals, exists on a performance spectrum shaped by pressure and personal aims, and draws on different benchmarks including past performances. The study concludes clutch is situational and context-dependent, and defining it via self-referenced goals could resolve definitional tensions and help create a measurement tool. This research was conducted by Matthew J. Schweickle, Stewart A. Vella, and Christian Swann.