It’s Everton manager Sean Dyche speaking after his teams comfortable two goal win at former club Burnley. Sean has had to make formation changes to set up his team. And has done so without any training sessions. Why has this worked? Because his players are now open to change. And tellingly he goes on to add that, ‘Thats when you know you are onto somethIng. I know it!’ This is wisdom speaking. Know-how. A man who has insights into the secrets of success. The signs. The clues. The responses. The body-language. The micro details of […]
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.
Darts Psychology: Luke Humphries – Concentration!
It’s the World Darts Championships, and world number three Luke Humphries, is defending himself against criticism of being boring. Luke is not one for histrionics. Emotions. Big celebrations. High energy! The former roofer gets on with it. Darts in hand. Next throw. Tune in. Focus! Darts at the highest level is a game of Concentration. Get in the bubble. Stay in the bubble. Get out of the bubble. Get back in it as quickly as possible. This part is important. If you get out of the bubble then the longer it takes you to […]
Read More...Racing Psychology: Jensen Button -The Comeback!
So, seven years after retiring from Formula One. Jensen Button has returned to competitive racing. The former champion will be behind the wheel of a Jota Porsche 963 in the World Endurance Series. One of the interesting things Jensen said about his forthcoming return was that, ‘I am a better person when I am racing’. It’s easy to understand what he means by that. The very act of getting in a high performance car causes a level of focus, concentration, anticipation, decision-making and so many other elements that makes you feel alive! How alive is it […]
Read More...Cricket Psychology: Trent Rockets – Mindless!
It’s The Women’s Hundred at Trent Bridge. And the Trent Rockets are cruising to victory over The Northern Superchargers. Requiring around thirty off twenty balls with wickets in hand the win is inevitable. But then everything goes wrong. The wicket of Natalie Sriver-Brunt precipitates a collapse. Wickets tumble. Panic sets in. Mindless decisions are made. The game is lost. A simple win becomes an unexplainable loss. It’s a great example of how the closer you get to the result, the more your process can get compromised. The more the pressure builds, the clearer your […]
Read More...Swimming Psychology: Adam Peaty – Happiness!
Three times Olympic Gold medallist Adam Peaty has been speaking recently about some of the challenges he has been facing, mentally and emotionally that have led him to battles with alcohol and depression. Leading to a realisation that ‘A gold medal won’t bring me happiness’. This is a major realisation from an elite athlete. For virtually every performer at the top level is. focused on one thing – Winning! Winning becomes the be all and end all of your existence. It is the reward for all your work. Discipline. Sacrifice. But what if that is switched around? The focus of […]
Read More...Snooker Psychology: Si Jiahui – Learning!
It’s the last sixteen of the World Snooker championships at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. And rising Chinese star Si Jiahui is about to enter the arena to complete his match against Robert Milkins. But before that he has to negotiate an interview with MC Rob Walker. Walker asks Si directly how he is dealing with the pressure of The Crucible. The Home of Snooker. Si, through his interpreter, answers that he is under and feels no pressure. Why? Because he is here to learn. Not here to win. It’s a not normal approach. Most snooker professionals would come to win. […]
Read More...Cricket Psychology: Ben Stokes – Fearless!
So England begin the Ben Stokes/ Brendan McCullum era with a swashbuckling win over New Zealand at Trent Bridge. A chase down of 299 was made to look easy, as England applied a one-day like approach to the task in hand. With two wins in two, England are looking a different side. Stokes is transferring his own values; mindsets; principles into this group of players. Playing with freedom is at the heart of the Stokesian way. To be liberated from the restrictions of fear of failure. To trust your game. And go for your […]
Read More...Golf Psychology: Richie Ramsay – The Water!
It’s the 18th hole at The Belfry. The British Masters title is up for grabs. And Scotland’s Ritchie Ramsay has moved into prime position. He’s one ahead with the last to play. He drives off safely. But then he dunks the approach shot in the water. It’s a bogey six. His title chances are over. All because of one shot. Closing out for a win is one of the hardest things in golf. You’ve played pressure free golf for seventy one holes. Now it comes down to this. You don’t want to make a mistake. You are trying to take […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Pep Guardiola – The Cause!
And so Manchester City are through to yet another Caraboa (League) Cup Final, after a two goal win at Old Trafford.
Always a little bit sharper, quicker and tuned in than their local rivals, City had the benefit of a twelfth player.
Read More...Football Psychology: Ralph Hassenhuttl – Passion!
The final whistle has sounded at St Mary’s. Southampton have secured a narrow victory over champions Liverpool. And Austrian manager Ralph Hassenhuttl is on his knees.
It’s his first ever victory over Jurgen Klopp and his team and he is celebrating as if the Saints have just secured the league title.
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