The Confidence Coach's Sports Psychology Reports
The Art Of Celebrations
This report was created by Martin Perry, exclusively for the Barclay's Spaces For Sports Project. The aim of this special Sports Psychology report is to give insight into the psychology of sporting celebrations.
1. The Findings
In our view celebrations of goals, trys, touchdowns etc are manifestations of cultural, social, religious and political history and behaviour, as well as expressions of personal and team joy.
When Brits, like Henman or Montgomerie celebrate victory is as understated and modest as their backgrounds require; when Chris Di Marco and Hewitt let it all hang out there it, too, reflects the what they are of the who they are.
A distinction must be made between individual team and country performance because different ethics and criteria apply. For a world power like the USA or an ex world power like England, defeat sometimes carries more than merely sporting values, and the notion of the historic nation state and conqueror or vanquished come into play.
When the 'imperialists' take to the playing fields of the world the 'conquered' seek symbolic revenge. Or when the USA, as superpower, flaunts its superiority, e.g. Dream Team in Olympic basketball is defeated, it sets off echoes which send ripples beyond the arena.
2. Types of Celebrations
The Political
In which the player makes a 'statement' which has an impact beyond the sporting arena- Fowler, DiCanio, Eto'o, Gazza
The Gymnasts
In which the player's agility is made manifest- Sanchez, Agahowa, Beagrie, LuaLua
The Assassin
In which the players understated celebration, is a statement of a cool, clinical mind-set that intimates of unfinished business to complete - Shearer, Henry, Denis Law
The Diver
in which the player makes an ironic statement, or a demonstration of extreme machismo- Klinsmann, Kuqi.
The Rock'n'roll
In which the player uses the corner flag, creatively, for musical entertainment- Sharpe, Drogba, Milla
The Poseur
in which the player takes centre stage in a dramatic pose - Cantona, DiMatteo, Keane
The Family
in which the birth of a child is celebrated - Lampard, Bebeto, Raul.
The Extravert
in which shirt removing becomes an art form - Ravenelli, Giggs, Brandy Chastaine
The Rude Boys
in which the players simulate slightly unsavoury acts - Fowler, Ronaldo, Adriano etc, Finidi George
The Insouciant
in which the player seems to insult opposing fans - Lampard, Torres, Ronaldinho, Andreas Möeller.
3. The Psychology of Celebrations
Celebrations need not be manifestations of false modesty or the need to show off. They may have other sources/roots:-
- Genuine need to express feelings for a fleeting moment of joy.
- Demonstrate group ethic by a demonstration of bonding.
- Entertain home crowd and reinforce superiority.
- Prove a point to own management, supporters or the media or opposition fans.
- Show off, usually by a display of agility above and beyond normality.
- National or local pride, often by kissing the badge.
Boxers, like Naseem Hamed, would have an elaborate entry ritual which is designed not just to sell tickets but to sends a signal to his opponent and expectant fans. The ring itself is both a prison and a safe haven; and with victory many boxers climb the ring ropes and bounce about, showing the baying audience that he has done enough to claim release, and wants his freedom now. This is more a plea than a celebration.
Tennis players have to internalise much of what they must do, and end up doing and, since the excesses of McEnroe etc, they are given no leeway to express frustration or true emotion.
So Hewitt's implosive fist pump and 'Come On', an external expression of internal preparation, has become the catchphrase of a generation. Unlike his English predecessors, Murray uses it and it seems integral to his playing style. Nadal has added a power leap which, again, is very much part of the way he plays and can be intimidating to opponents.
The NFL went through a time when the celebration of the touchdown was almost more important than the score itself. The leap into the crowd at Lambeau Field being one of the most obvious examples of macho excess, as if scoring the TD was not enough, that the scorer had something else to prove. The ritual of ball spiking, throat slashing war dances etc were eventually banned because the commission felt that they were a bad influence on children.
4. Classic Celebrations
Sport has its risks, in extremis it led to the death of Andres Escobar. But, for the majority of sportsmen and women, injuries in pursuit of victory are the worst they will suffer. Sometimes, however, the act of celebrating a moment of joy can lead to pain.
There are more subtle dangers in over celebrating. Footballers risk a yellow card by removing their shirt or going too close to the crowd.
Celebrating a goal often leads to premature relaxation, allowing the opposition to strike back almost immediately, a factor which coaches always warn about.
Over celebrating away from home will often antagonise an already hostile crowd and spurn the home team on. In the NFL over-celebrating is regarded as taunting and unsporting, and unproductive; when Chelsea full back Wayne Bridge flaunted himself in front of Portsmouth fans, pay back for years of abuse when he was at Southampton, it set off a fire storm of anger.
- The finger to the lips act of Frank Lampard against Liverpool, mirroring the actions of his manager at the Carling Cup final did nothing to smooth already choppy waters.
- Sometimes a goal celebration can lead to injury, as when, in 1993, Tony Adams lifted Steve Morrow too enthusiastically and broke the scorer's shoulder.
- In 2004, Paulo Diago leaped into the crowd to celebrate a goal for Sevette in the Swiss league. He caught his wedding ring on a hoarding and ripped his finger. To add insult to literal injury he was booked for over celebrating.
- Thierry Henry nearly poked his eye out celebrating a goal next to a corner flag.
- Celestine Babayaro, then of Chelsea, broke his leg while doing his somersault celebration, and that was in a pre season match;
- Patrick Vieira scored against Manchester United 1997slid extravagantly across the turf on his knees and suffered such a bad injury that he was out of the team for a few weeks.
- Shaun Goater celebrated a goal by Nicolas Anelka for Manchester City by kicking an ad board, after which he had to be subbed. Some years previously 1998he broke his arm while celebrating a goal.
- Martin Palermo, then with Villareal, 2001, scored in the Copa del Rey and ran to the crowd to celebrate. Unfortunately, a wall collapsed, he suffered broken tibula etc and was out for six months.
- Temuri Ketsbaia was so overwhelmed when he scored for Newcastle that he tried to kick his way through an advertising board to get to his adoring fans. The board survived, but his previously cool reputation did not.
5. The Advantage Of Celebrations
- Celebrations become part of the DNA of sporting endeavour. 'High fives' have long been the cultural identifier of African Americans and is a response to the white man's handshake, which emphasises difference. Although it is now almost universal, it still has powerful cultural echoes in rap music, NBA, general sporting achievement and, as Michael Jordan has shown with Nike etc, black aspiration.
- It becomes a means by which achievement is judged. As professional players prepare their celebrations in advance so, we have heard, kids do just the same in school on the days before a match, and can be seen practising in the school yard. And, as we know, practise makes perfect.
- It is used as an identifier with a particular club or player, and sometimes a test of loyalty and reinforcement of group solidarity.
- It becomes an incentive to score or win, and adds to the fun when they do.
- It allows kids to mimic their elders in a positive way. This is significant if the players they are copying are positive role models e.g. Andy Cole, T Henry.
- It recognises individuality within the team, and a unique celebration brings the player to the attention of observers, sometimes with positive outcomes in school.
- It allows the celebrator to become the star for a moment, and improve self esteem. And an exciting celebration may be an imaginative cooperative enterprise.
- It can reinforce the team code which is more important than individual achievement but, also, it recognises individuality.
- It brings the team together for a highly charged emotional moment and helps bond the players.
- It can be seen as an expression of self-assurance and will help in education and future life.
Martin Perry: Confidence Coaching & Sports Psychology - 0044 (0) 77897 56425
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