The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog, comes as Hull City begin their preparation for the Championship play-off final.
Football: Dean Windass - Overwhelmed!
"Since I was a little boy, this was my football club, it's what dreams are made of. I'm overwhelmed, because we've got a great spirit in the camp." Hull City's Dean Windass, expressing his feelings, ahead of next weeks Championship play-off final.
It is understandable that Dean is excited. It's Hull's first ever visit to Wembley. It wouldn't be normal if he didn't feel some sort of emotion. But, overwhelmed? Let's hope that's just a temporary feeling.
In any cup final, or match of consequence, there has to be a correct balance, between the teams feelings and emotions, and their mentality. Too much emotion, can serve to weaken the mentality, leading to poor presence of mind and consequently, 'choking'.
That is, under big-match pressure, players become unable to think clearly, and make ill-advised, hasty decisions. Emotional over-load, leads to inevitable under-performance.
Maybe Dean Windass's comments can serve as a useful, early warning sign to Phil Brown. To alert him to the potential, of his players getting too caught up, in the emotion and significance of the occasion.
Perhaps he will follow Bristol City's example, and take his players abroad for a few days. One, to refresh their minds and bodies. Secondly, to take them away from the demands of Wembley fever.
Phil Brown's key preparation day, may well be the Friday before Wembley. He would be well advised to not only take his team for a Wembley training session. But to become tourists for the morning. Take the full sight-seeing tour of Wembley. Absorb the stadium's rich history. And get the awe out of their systems.
Hull's manager, will want his players to feel the power and history of the Wembley experience. But that power, must be correctly channelled into the ultimate goal.
Get the emotion / mentality balance right, and Hull City's first Wembley appearance, can become more than just a day out, for the good people of Humberside.
