The Confidence Coach's Sports Psychology Articles
On The Couch With Dr. Martin - 442's Sports Psychology Expert
The Confidence Coach's monthly Sports Psychology article in 442 magazine. This article was written after the outbursts against officials by under pressure managers.
The Blame Game
It's late into the Old Trafford Manchester derby and City are desperately chasing the game. Suddenly, City striker Bernardo Corradi, falls easily in the box in a desperate attempt to win a penalty. Referee Graham Poll has no hesitation in awarding Corradi a second yellow card.
After the game, Stuart Pearce, surprisingly, affords no blame to the referee. This, unto itself is not normal. Coming so soon after the unforgiving views of Adie Bothroyd and Mike Newell on Chris Foy and Amy Rayner respectively, the officials have become a common place target for under pressure managers. Blaming the officials to deflect blame from the managers or their players.
Blame creates a smokescreen and fog, which can blind the manager to the truth. It is an easy to apply response to compensate for defeat and disappointment, that negates the taking of personal responsibility.
In the moments after a defeat, a manager can help the player's personal and professional development by forcing them to confront their own mistakes instead of blaming officials for the outcome.
As West Bromwich Albion's' new boss Tony Mowbray said after a recent defeat to Stoke City, 'We should be good enough not to be complaining about a penalty'. This clarity of perspective leads to a recognition of the truth behind a team performance.
A No-Blame Psychology...
A clear diagnosis can occur leading to analysis of individual and collective weakness and the building of new habits and patterns to correct these faults. A 'no-blame' psychology takes the referee out of the equation. It must be remembered that the performance of the referee is an unmanageable. What can be managed and controlled is the performance of the players and the motivational and strategic skills of the manager.
The problem for managers is that they are so often caught up in the heat and intensity of competition that they fail to appreciate those elements of the game that would balance their passions. It is often difficult to step back and see events from a larger perspective.
So what advantage is served by a frustrated, angry, losing manager showing consideration and respect for the officials? How will this change of attitude preserve Premiership status or keep them in a job?
It must be remembered that the officials are guardians of the spirit of the game. For that reason, respect for officials is closely related to respect for the game. Officials enforce not only the rules but the traditions and customs of the sport. The unwritten rules.
Respect for the game is the sacred mantra that informed the behaviour of the greats such as Moore, Pele and Charlton. They were living embodiments of the spirit of the game. When the player or manager has a deep respect for the game and its values, then the game itself will give something back in return. It is this relationship that leads to the state of being in the zone.
When in the zone state, the manager's tactical awareness will increase, his reading of the games speeds and rhythms will be astute, his decision making accurate and intuitive. He will be calm, settled and assured. He won't find fault in the officials, but will be acutely aware of how his team can improve and develop.
The Sports Psychology Summary...
The white heat of competition can trigger the personal stress and pressure that disrupts this flow state. It can be lost in an instant never to return. But for the manager desperately seeking Premiership survival points, how he manages himself and his highly charged emotions can be the difference between success and failure.
Martin Perry: Confidence Coaching & Sports Psychology - 0044 (0) 77897 56425