The proper assessment of anxiety-causing behaviors will help the athlete and coach choose coping strategies which are most compatible with the particular problem and personality type of the individual. Suggestions most often include practical methods of describing and evaluating behaviors that differ from the norm so that cues signalling anxiety may be identified. These cues may be factors internal or external to the individual athlete within the personal or situational components of the competitive process. If an athlete perceives physiological symptoms of anxiety to be debilitating, then a program of deep muscle relaxation may be the best coping strategy to follow. Conversely, if an athlete has identified cognitive processes as the major problem, a cognitive problem-solving approach may be the method chosen. While either of these situations may occur, it is most likely athletes will identify both physiological and psychological processes that are generating stress. In this more prevalent instance, a combination of strategies may be the best method for dealing with the problem. Creative assessment of the problem will be the important first step in the process of implementing anxiety intervention programs. (Author)