3. Right now, take your hands off the sticks and execute this exact move:
"The real power is staying in control of the controller."
Signed:
Turn to Page 3 for Build Your Bench & Step In Protocol Clutch Control Series • Page 2 of 3
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Basketball Support Roster • Suicide Prevention • Zen Zone Reset
Lifeline Safety
Part 6: Build Your Support Bench
Nobody Plays 48 Mins Alone
🏀 STARTER Someone I can talk to
🏀 6TH MAN Checks on me
🏀 COACH Trusted adult
🏀 TRAINER Helps calm me
🏀 CAPTAIN Encourages me
Part 7: "STEP IN" Crisis Protocol
When Pressure Gets Heavy
If a brother is withdrawn, says he can't deal anymore, or comments on not wanting to be here:
1. NOTICE
Changes in mood, withdrawn, joking stops.
2. ASK
"You good? Talk to me real. Are you hurting?"
3. LISTEN
No judgment, no 'man up,' no debating.
4. CONNECT
Get a trusted adult. No secrets with life safety.
988 Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 (Available 24/7) Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Part 8: Zen Zone Reset & Step In Check-In
Closing Circle
1. PAUSE 2. BREATHE 3. NAME IT 4. RESET 5. CONNECT
One thing my body needs right now to reset:
One brother I commit to checking on this week:
"You don't have to carry every pressure by yourself." Clutch Control Series • Page 3 of 3
SCRIPT BANK A
1. Brain Check-In Script (Minute 00–03):
"Move to the spot that represents how your brain feels today: Locked In, Coasting, Pressured, or Overloaded. You don't have to explain your choice. Last week we learned that emotions affect our brain and body. Today we're going to practice what we can actually DO when the pressure hits."
2. Alarm Mode Relay & The 30-Second Sprint (Minute 03–09):
Divide into teams. Place scenario cards on far table. One runner sprints, grabs a card, sprints back. Team has 30 seconds to answer:
🧠 BRAIN: What does it think?
❤️ EMOTION: What does it feel?
🫀 BODY: What happens physically?
🎯 CHOICE: What could they do next?
Facilitator calls out: "ALARM OR THINKING?" Students shout their diagnosis. Teach: "When we're under pressure, our alarm system reacts quickly. That's why we say or do things before our thinking brain catches up. PAUSE = GIVE YOUR THINKING BRAIN TIME."
3. Toothpaste Test & Pressure → Pause → Plan Circuit (Minute 09–14):
Demo: Squeeze toothpaste out onto plate in 2 seconds. Hand a volunteer a toothpick: "Put it all back in." Connect immediately to words yelled in the hallway or group chats: the spillover is permanent.
Transition directly to 3 movement stations: 🔴 Pressure: Name it (Angry, Anxious, Sad, Frustrated, Embarrassed, Overwhelmed). 🟡 Pause: Reset it (20 seconds of slow breathing, stretch, shake out hands, water). "The goal isn't to make the emotion disappear. The goal is to bring your brain back online." 🟢 Plan: Choose healthy next move + who can help.
4. Build Your Bench (Minute 14–19):
"Nobody plays an entire basketball game without a bench. So why do we expect ourselves to handle every problem alone? On your court, identify your 5: Starter (talk to), Sixth Man (checks on me), Coach (trusted adult), Trainer (helps me calm down), Team Captain (encourages me). You can write specific names or roles."
Turn to Page 3 for Step In Crisis Protocol & Final Standing Circle Pressure Play Facilitator Guide • Page 2 of 3
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Suicide Prevention • Zen Zone Reset • Closing Brotherhood Challenge
SAFETY PROTOCOL
5. Step In: Suicide Prevention Protocol (Minute 19–25)
Instructional Framing (No Forced Disclosure):
"Sometimes pressure gets bigger than what someone knows how to handle. That's when knowing how to STEP IN matters. Look at these three situations:"
Scenario A: A student usually joking around becomes withdrawn, keeps saying "I'm good" even though something feels off.
Scenario B: A friend says they are going through it and doesn't know how much longer they can deal with everything.
Scenario C: Someone makes a concerning comment about not wanting to be here anymore.
NOTICE: What are you noticing?
ASK: What could you say?
LISTEN: What to avoid? (No judging)
CONNECT: Which adult to involve?
NON-NEGOTIABLE SAFETY RULE: "If you think a friend may hurt themselves or isn't safe, don't promise to keep it secret. Get a trusted adult immediately. U.S. Lifeline: Call/Text 988 or text HOME to 741741."
6. Zen Zone Reset & Routine (Minute 25–27)
Lead students through the reset in real time: PAUSE: Stop. BREATHE: Inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6. NAME IT: "What am I feeling right now?" RESET: "What does my body need?" CONNECT: "Do I need another person?"
"The Zen Zone isn't a place to run away from problems. It's a place to reset your brain so you can deal with them."
Final Challenge: "STEP IN" Call & Response (Minute 27–30): Brotherhood Circle
Have all students stand in a circle. Facilitator reads each line; students physically take one step into the circle:
• "Step in if you believe asking for help is a strength." (Step in)
• "Step in if you believe checking on your brother matters." (Step in)
• "Step in if you know emotions aren't weakness." (Step in)
• "Step in if you know taking a pause can change a decision." (Step in)
• "Step in if you're willing to NOTICE, ASK, LISTEN, and CONNECT when someone needs help." (Everyone steps in)
🖤 Close With: "You don't have to carry every pressure by yourself. Your emotions matter. Your brain can learn to pause. And you have people who can help you carry what's heavy."
Follow up privately with any student showing red/yellow battery status Pressure Play Facilitator Guide • Page 3 of 3
• "Step in if you've ever helped a friend through something heavy."
• "Step in if you believe asking for help can be a strength."
LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM: "I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE."
Activity 4: Build Your Squad
Basketball Court Diagram • 5 Mins
On your court diagram, assign the 4 key roles that protect your life:
🏀
First Contact:
Who is the first friend you talk to when things go left?
🏀
The Anchor:
Who has your back and defends you when you're under attack?
🏀
Trusted Adult:
Which adult has the wisdom to guide you out of the storm?
🏀
Emergency Backup:
Who can you call in the middle of the night when it's heavy?
Protective Factor: Connected men survive and thrive. Isolated men get picked off.
Activity 5: "What Do You Put On?"
Coping Channel Diagnostic • 4 Mins
Move to the word on the board that represents your go-to coping move:
🎵 MUSIC
🏀 SPORTS
😂 HUMOR
🙏 PRAYER
🎮 GAMING
👥 FRIENDS
😴 SLEEP
🚶 WALKING
🗣️ TALKING
🎨 CREATIVITY
1. ESCAPE Does it just numb the feeling?
2. SOLVE Does it help fix the issue?
3. CONNECT Does it bring you closer to people?
Insight: Escaping gives you a break, but connecting and solving gives you peace.
Activity 6: Myth or Fact (Mental Health)
Move Across Room • 4 Mins
Walk to the side that matches your answer
1. "Asking for help means you're weak." MYTH: It's tactical courage.
2. "Someone can look happy and still be struggling." FACT: Masks are common.
3. "You should keep a friend's suicidal thoughts secret." MYTH: Never keep life secrets.
4. "You can ask someone directly if they're struggling." FACT: Direct asking saves lives.
5. "You don't have to be in a crisis to reach out to 988." FACT: Available 24/7 anytime.
988 Lifeline: Call or Text 988 Free, private, 24/7 backup for you or a friend.
Zen Zone Reset & Brotherhood Wall
Closing Creed • 5 Mins
The Zen Zone Reset: When your brain goes into alarm mode
PAUSE
BREATHE
RESET
REFLECT
CONNECT
"We Got You" Brotherhood Wall Brick:
Someone to listen • A second chance • Encouragement • A safe place • Somebody who checks in
REAL MEN DON'T CARRY EVERYTHING ALONE Check In • Speak Up • Step In • Get Help
Myth or Fact • Lifeline 988 • Brick Pledge • Closing Creed
Finale
Part 6: Myth or Fact: Mental Health Edition
Real Truths
1. "Asking for help means you're weak." [ ] MYTH [ ] FACT
2. "Someone can look happy and still be struggling inside." [ ] MYTH [ ] FACT
3. "You should keep a friend's suicidal thoughts secret to stay loyal." [ ] MYTH [ ] FACT
4. "You don't have to be in a crisis to call or text 988." [ ] MYTH [ ] FACT
CRISIS LIFELINE: Call or Text 988 (Available 24/7) CRISIS TEXT LINE: Text HOME to 741741
Part 7: 🧱 "We Got You" Brotherhood Wall Brick
Cut & Post on Wall
Complete the statement: "A brother needs _____________________ when life gets hard."
Ideas: someone to listen, second chance, safe place, check-in, no judgment
Signed:
Part 8: Zen Zone Reset Protocol
Emergency Routine
PAUSE BREATHE RESET REFLECT CONNECT
REAL MEN DON'T CARRY EVERYTHING ALONE
Check In • Speak Up • Step In • Get Help
Clutch Control Series Completed • Hold Each Other Down Clutch Control Series • Page 3 of 3
SCRIPT BANK B
1 & 6. Pressure Dash & Pressure Cooker Balloon (Minute 00–06):
"Set up 4 stations: School, Conflict, Family, Social Media. One runner from each team sprints, grabs a card, and brings it back. Team has 60 seconds to answer: What might a student feel? What makes it worse? Healthy response? Who can you go to?"
Balloon Metaphor: Hold up balloon. "Bad grade..." (blow air). "Fight at home..." (blow air). "Rumor online..." (blow air). Stop before it pops: "What happens when we keep adding pressure but never release it? It explodes. We don't pop the balloon—we find healthy valves to let the air out safely."
2. "Say It Without Saying It" Roleplay (Minute 06–11):
Prompt: "Your boy usually jokes around, but today he's silent, hood pulled down, and says 'I'm good.' You have 30 seconds to act out how to check in without embarrassing him."
• NOTICE: "I see your energy is low today."
• ASK: "Real talk, what's on your chest?"
• LISTEN: Don't clown, don't interrupt, don't say 'man up.'
• CONNECT: "If a brother talks about dying or giving up, NEVER keep it secret. Involve an adult immediately."
3. "Step In If..." Tape Line Protocol (Minute 11–15):
"Line up on the blue tape. I will read statements. If it applies to you, step forward across the tape. Nobody explains their choice."
Statements: Overwhelmed by school • Music helps you reset • Ever needed someone to listen • Have an adult to talk to • Helped a friend • Asking for help can be a strength.
Facilitator Teaching Point: "Look around this line. You are not alone. Every single brother in this room has felt the weight."
4. "Build Your Squad" (Minute 15–20):
"On your court, fill in your defensive roster: Point Guard (first contact), Center (has my back), Coach (trusted adult), Sixth Man (emergency late-night call). Connection to friends, family, school, and community is what protects young men from going under."
Turn to Page 3 for Coping Channels, 988 Myth/Fact & Brotherhood Wall Squad Playbook Facilitator Guide • Page 2 of 3
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Coping Channels • Myth or Fact • 988 Lifeline • Brotherhood Wall • Zen Zone
SERIES FINALE
5. "What Do You Put On When Life Gets Real?" (Minute 20–24):
"Look at the words on the board: Music, Sports, Humor, Prayer, Gaming, Friends, Sleep, Walking, Talking, Creativity. Walk to the one you put on when life hits."
Debrief: "Ask yourself: Does this move ESCAPE the problem, SOLVE the problem, or CONNECT you to somebody? Escaping gives you a break, but solving and connecting brings long-term peace."
7. Myth or Fact: Mental Health Edition & 988 Lifeline (Minute 24–27):
Signs on opposite walls: MYTH ← → FACT. Read statements: 1. "Asking for help means you're weak" (MYTH). 2. "Someone can look happy and still be struggling" (FACT). 3. "You should keep a friend's suicidal thoughts secret" (MYTH - NEVER KEEP SECRETS). 4. "You can ask someone directly if they're struggling" (FACT). 5. "You don't have to be in crisis to contact 988" (FACT).
CRISIS RESOURCE: "988 is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat. You can also text HOME to 741741. Free, confidential, and judgment-free."
8. 🧱 "We Got You" Brotherhood Wall & Zen Zone Reset (Minute 27–30):
Distribute brick paper. Each student writes: "A brother needs ________ when life gets hard." Tape them together on the wall to form the giant Brotherhood Wall.
"When your brain goes into alarm mode, the Zen Zone is your spot to: PAUSE → BREATHE → RESET → REFLECT → CONNECT."
REAL MEN DON'T CARRY EVERYTHING ALONE
"Check In • Speak Up • Step In • Get Help. You have a squad in this room, you have adults in this building, and you have tools in your pocket. Walk with your head up."
Clutch Control Series Completed • Review student bricks for support needs Squad Playbook Facilitator Guide • Page 3 of 3
