And so Gareth Southgate resigns as England manager. Three days after defeat to Spain in the finals of the European Championship, he walks away, having failed to break England’s 58 year trophy drought. But it all could have been so different. With fifteen minutes to go In Berlin, England brought the scores level against Spain. Here was the moment. Momentum was with them. This finally was the opportunity to break the stop situation. But, what happened? England became passive again. They surrendered the initiative to Spain. The moment was gone. And the match was lost. Was it fear of failure […]
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.
You Are Stronger Than You Realise – An Encouragement
This is an encouragement for anyone who is feeling down. Or thinks that things cant or won’t change. Or doesn’t recognise the unlimited strength and power that resides within..
Read More...Tennis Psychology: Sofia Kenin – Champions Pressure
This video explores the challenges and pressure of being a champion as Sofia Kenin fails to defend her Australian Open title.
Read More...Tennis Psychology: Novak Djokovic – Disrespect Me!
It’s post-match on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. And Novak Djokovic is conducting the on-court interview after dispatching Dane Holger Rune, emphatically, in straight sets. And Novak is taking no prisoners, as he openly accuses sections of the crowd of disrespecting him. It’s irrelevant as to whether or not the crowd or shouting ‘Ruuune’ or booing. Either way it’s got Novak fired up and for the Dane it’s bad news. Novak is one of the bets of all time of being able to go to a deep place when he feels the presence of adversity. In the way that Michael Jordan would […]
Read More...Football Psychology: England – Tiredness!
One of the recurring questions that has been coming up since England’s uninspired draw with Denmark, is ‘are England too tired?’ It’s a surprising question to hear being asked after game two of the tournament, and of course it’s a possibility that they have over-trained in camp as part of a thorough, ‘leave no stone unturned’ preparation. Whereby pattern repetition has left the players under-stimulated and lacking in enthusiasm for the tasks being asked of them. But that is only speculation. For in reality when the collective is right, tiredness is not an issue. When the collective is right, there […]
Read More...Golf Psychology: Rory McIlroy – Pressure!
And so it’s a few days since Rory McIlroy failed to secure the US Open Title at Pinehurst. And all the talk seems to be about how he will recover. Or if he ever will recover! Rory himself has said he will take time out before returning to defend his Scottish Open title in July. So why have a couple of missed short putts caused such emotion amongst fans, critics and the player himself? Well up to the final three holes at Pinehurst, Rory had made 496 putts inside three feet in succession this season. In other words, at Pinehurst, […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Forest Green Rovers – Attention!
And so Troy Deeney’s six-game tenure at Forest Green Rovers is ended with a not unexpected sacking. Meaning that Dale Vince has now gone through four managers in a year. Ian Burchnall. Duncan Ferguson. David Horseman. Troy Deeney. Four managers. And potentially two relegations. Two relegations is not unlucky. Or unjust. It is a consequence of how everything that happens off the field, manifests itself on the field. You are a bottom of the league operation. Whether you like it or not. But none of this just happens. As an owner or leader of a club, you have to pay […]
Read More...Tennis Psychology: Andy Murray – Don’t Be Ordinary!
So Andy Murray bows out of the Australian Open at the hands of Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry. There was something poignant about Andy’s demeanour as the first-round match drifted away from him. Head bowed. A feeling of inevitability. Nothing really coming off. It never used to be like this. Andy Murray had an elite level ability to turn matches around. Especially against lesser opponents. Go to the chair one-set down. Think. Solve Problems. Strategise. Win Match. When you have graced the game at the highest level for so long, it’s not easy to have to deal with feelings of ordinariness. […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Troy Deeney – Honesty!
It’s post match at The New Lawns and Forest Green manager Troy Deeney is not holding back in his assessment of his players performance after their two-nil loss to Harrogate Town. His twelve minute Radio Gloucester rant lets everyone know how he is feeling about individuals and the overall group mentality. And social media laps it up. A full-on managerial rants gets everyone’s attention. Why? Because they are pretty rare. There is what happens in the sanctuary of the dressing room. Between the manager, staff and players. And what is communicated to the outside world. And they are two separate […]
Read More...Darts Psychology: Luke Humphries – Champion!
It’s the seventh set at the World Darts Championships. Luke Littler is honing in on a 112 finish. For a five-two lead. Treble 18. Treble 18. Pause. Check scores with Russ Bray. Double two? Double two. Reset. Out of rhythm. Miss. Luke Humphries takes out 28 for 4-3.. And doesn’t look back. Taking the next four sets to claim his maiden World Title. It’s an unstoppable surge from the Newbury dartist that is worthy of a champion. Sport is full of turning moments. When game dynamics change. When opportunities to wrest control present themselves. At the Alexandra Palace, Luke Humphries […]
Read More...