The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog, comes as Holland open their Euro 2008 campaign, with a three goal win against Italy.
Football: Holland - Promise!
In what must qualify, as one of the most perceptive and thorough previews of a major football tournament to date, Mike Holden in his on-line gambling column 'Betting Zone', makes the following comments about serial under-performers Holland. 'Holland usually pay the price for being the most liberal nation on earth.The Dutch are passionately liberal and believe that people should be free to do whatever they want and while they aren't exactly hot-blooded, they do harbour a genuine desire to be direct and honest, an impulse that can often be misconstrued as blunt and arrogant to foreigners.
This perhaps explains why so many Dutch players are so keen to rock the boat and undermine their manager by speaking out on tactical matters, the upshot being that progress is halted and momentum rarely takes hold'.
It's an astute observation and one that holds true. With their positive start to the European Championships, expectations will begin to soar in Holland. And those expectations will bring increased pressure. In the presence of such pressure, team unity will be tested. And it is then, that any problems that are simmering beneath the surface in the Dutch camp, will rise to the top.
Arguments and divisions explode around unresolved issues, and team unity and harmony is suddenly shattered. This is how it has been before with Holland. And there are those who expect such disharmony, to rear it's head again. It's simply the Dutch way.
But what if the Dutch saw this coming? What if the more experienced professionals, like Edwin Van De Saar and Ruud Van Nistlerooy, took a stand, and said that we are not going to allow another major championship challenge, to be sabotaged from within. What if they worked with a sports psychologist and the management team, to put a strategy together to negate any internal division?
It would be the obvious thing to do. It would mean channelling the national trait of being outspoken, to the common good of the team. That doesn't mean suppressing personal opinion.
But it means giving individuals a clear and defined role with the squad. Roles that play to their strengths and character. Roles that enables them to say what is on their mind, in a constructive and supportive way. Knowing that they will be listened to, and most importantly, understood. When players feel understood, then they will try to put all their efforts to serve the common cause.
It means being alert to the first signs of disharmony and taking immediate steps to remedy the situation. An individual and collective vigilance, that aims to protect the good spirit which has been engendered by victory over the Italians.
The further the Dutch progress in this tournament, the more they will be mentally and emotionally tested. But perhaps, the mistakes and pain of the past, will finally serve as a reminder of what they don't want. And keep them focused on what they do want.
The Dutch have the talent to go all the way in Euro' 2008. Now we will discover, if they have finally developed that elusive collective mentality. And the mental strength to protect it.
