‘For some reason, I felt a immense sense of calmness inside’. The words of European Tour winner, Ross Fisher, after his seven shot victory, at the London Club. Why is it that winners never say they were experiencing inner turmoil, and contradiction? As if, the inner state of calmness, is commensurate with excellence and success. Ross’ thoughts, ‘for some reason’ also suggests that this state, was not one he deliberately created. That it happened upon him, almost by accident. But isn’t this nearly always the case, with ‘zone-like’ experiences? You cannot demand it. It happens upon you, when everything is […]
Read More...Sports Psychology Blog
Welcome to the Sports Psychology blog. Here you will find insights on current sporting events, from the perspective of a sports psychologist.
The purpose of this blog, is to get inside the sporting drama…why the player or team do what they they do…their thinking…mindsets…attitudes…their fluctuating state of confidence…and all the other mental and emotional pieces that create the psychology of sports.
The most recent articles are at the top of the List Of Sports Psychology Blogs Index.
Tennis: Andy Murray – A Stuart Pearce Moment!
Andy Murray’s behaviour on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, on Monday evening, raised a number of eyebrows. The traditionalists, were disapproving, of his high-energy histrionics. Seeing them, as not in keeping, with the Wimbledon code of ethics and behaviour. Murray, however, was very successful, in empowering the Centre Court crowd, to raise their noise levels, to raise his game. The player and the crowd were as one. But maybe other things were happening to Murray. With his clenched fists, and bulging veins, it looked as if the Scotsman, was trying to exorcise some personal demons. Trying to rid himself, of past doubts, […]
Read More...Cricket: Andrew Flintoff – Patience!
It’s a warm afternoon at Hove, as Andrew Flintoff, comes out to bat, for his county Lancashire. At the other end, Stuart Law, has been offering a masterclass on how to pace a Championship innings, after the mayhem of the twenty over circus. Twelve balls later, Andrew is back in the pavilion, after holing out to Sussex’s young spinner Ollie Rayner. It’s easy to see why, he would want to play a big shot. When you are short of runs, it is tempting, when you possess the natural power that Andrew Flintoff has, to hit your way out of trouble. A few big shots, […]
Read More...Tennis: Richard Gasquet – Distraction!
It’s the third set of the Murray-Gasquet encounter on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. Gasquet, outplaying Murray, needs to hold his serve to win, in straight sets. But, with the odds against him, Murray digs deep, and draws on the powerful well of support from the Centre Court crowd. In the games critical turning point, he breaks the Frenchman’s serve. And his spirit. For with the crowd against him, the brilliance drains out of Gasquet. He proceeds to lose a match, that was in his grasp. This is a defeat, that will haunt him for some time. It was as if the […]
Read More...Tennis: Ana Ivanovic – Pressure!
So the French Champion, and number one seed, makes an early exit at Wimbledon, after a nervy, out of sorts display. In many ways this tournament probably came to soon for Ana Ivanovic. Too soon for her to adjust to her status of French Champion and rankings leader. To soon, to develop the mentality of a number one seed at Wimbledon. For being number one, brings many pressures. Pressure, to live up to expectations. Both of oneself and of others. Pressures, that come with your rivals, keen to take the opportunity to knock you off your pedestal. Pressure from the […]
Read More...Football: Spain – Breaking The Stop Situation
So Spain are through to the final of Euro’ 2008. Could it be that the pattern of serial national under-achievement, that has dogged this country, is about to be changed? Right now, the talented Spanish team has the aura of European champions about them. They came into the tournament, oozing confidence and self-assurance. Nothing has happened, yet, to disturb that sense of positivity. For once, a Spanish team appears united, and not subject to divisive territorial factions. So all is well and on track. But now comes their biggest test. Standing in their way, is not just a German team, […]
Read More...Tennis: Novak Djokovic – Mental Preparation
‘I think being on Centre Court motivated him and he was mentally there today – the opposite of me’. The words of disappointed Novak Djokovic, after a three sets defeat to Marat Safin. Perhaps, for the talented Djokovic, this was simply another match, in the demanding tennis roadshow. Where are we today? London. And so, when he tried to dig deep, to counter the Russian, he simply couldn’t find the mental and emotional energy, critical for a tough Wimbledon challenge. He hadn’t done enough of the vital mental work, essential for preparing him for this match. Mental preparation, that would […]
Read More...Football: Germany – Winability!
So Germany are through to Sunday’s final of the 2008 European Championships. A last-minute goal, by Phillipp Lahm, finally seeing off a gallant Turkish side. The Turks came into this semi-final, on the back of spirited performances against Croatia and the Czech Republic. Performances that highlighted their depth of team-spirit and fighting qualities. Spirit that was in evidence again tonight, as their equalising goal, eight minutes from time, looked to have secured them a well-earned draw. But tonight they met their match. For this German side have rediscovered a sense of winability. Winability is more than just team-spirit. It’s a […]
Read More...Motor Racing – Lewis Hamilton: Pressure!
“There’s so much pressure, and I can’t begin to explain how much pressure I have on my shoulders.” The words of Lewis Hamilton, in advance of the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours, in which he subsequently finished tenth. Things are not going as well as they might, this season, for the British driver. Consecutive fall-outs with race officials, and Hamilton now lies fourth in the Drivers Championship, ten points behind leader Brazilian Felipe Massa. After his successful second-place rookie season in Formula One, it was presumed that Hamilton, would carry on where he left off last year. Perhaps land the […]
Read More...Football: Croatia – Over Celebrations!
There are two minutes left in extra-time, of the Croatia-Turkey, quarter-final, when Croatia’s Ivan Klasnic, puts his team ahead. The Turks are beating the turf in frustration and despair. Whilst the Croatians are going wild with jubilation. Manager Slaven Bilic, with his trademark suit and earring, has raced onto the pitch and joined his players in celebration. He is ecstatic. He thinks his team are through to the semi-finals. But they are not. In time added on for Croatia’s collective celebration, Turkey score. Now it is Croatia’s turn to beat the turf in frustration. They are utterly dejected as they […]
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