And so the inquests begin into England’s shocking Euro exit. As ever the themes are familiar…pampered superstars; clubs not bringing through academy players; dearth of good English coaches and so on. The FA will undertake a review to try to understand what happened on Monday night in Nice. But past post-tournament reviews have never led to drastic improvements in the national team’s fortunes. The one decision that will solve most problems is getting the choice of manager right. The criteria for selecting a good national team boss is not complicated…. Does the manager have the tactical acumen to succeed in […]
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.
Football Psychology: Roy Hodgson – No Magic Answers!
When England opened the scoring against Russia in their first group match of the Euros, it looked like the perfect opportunity to establish their tournament credentials, and put the weak opposition to the sword. Just after Eric Dier’s goal went in, Roy Hodgson formed an unexpected huddle with his management team, Ray Lewington and Gary Neville. The reason…to create a defensive strategy to safeguard their lead. Of course it failed. Why did the manager need to form a huddle with his management team? The game dynamics were clear. The Russians were there for the taking. Could he not see that? […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Derby County – Another Failure Of Leadership!
It’s Sky’s pre-match analysis ahead of rugby’s European Final in Lyon. Jonny Wilkinson is discussing his part in Toulon’s 2013 success. The former England number ten, commanding the respect of his team-mates, acted not as a superstar, but drew on his vast experience to glue the French team together. He was the ‘go to player’ when problems needed solving. He’d seen it. Done it. Nothing phased him. He had the answers. His observations felt relevant following Derby County’s lame three nil Championship play-off home defeat to Hull City. The Rams simply had no ‘go to player’ who knew how to […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Claudio Ranieri: Calmness!
So…four games remaining in this dramatic Premier League campaign. Tottenham purposefully chasing down leaders Leicester City. Last Sunday’s dramatic West Ham draw exposed some of the pressure that has been quietly building in The Foxes title challenge. The strong arm penalty box tactics. Vardy’s expertise in winning penalties. Referee Jon Moss was having none of it. In return he got openly abused, as if he had prised open the black box that harboured Leicester’s dark secrets. Whilst everyone both on and off the pitch at the Walker’s Stadium appeared to be letting the unfortunate ref know what they thought of […]
Read More...Golf Psychology: Charlie Hull -The Dream State!
It’s possibly the highest golfing mental attainment. That is the ability to detach yourself completely from your outcomes. It’s the Zen Of Golf. A dream-state of mind that means you are simply tuned into the purity of striking the golf ball. Letting everything else take care of itself. Some golfers may go through their whole career and experience this on -course nirvana only once. For young English golfer Charlie Hull this state appears to be the norm. In a recent interview Charlie talked about a shot she hit at the Rancho Mirage ANA Inspiration, where she finished an impressive runner-up […]
Read More...Snooker Psychology: Stuart Bingham – Being Champion!
And so Stuart Bingham’s one year adventure as World Snooker Champion comes to an end. A last thirty-two defeat to Ali Carter, means that no first time winner has yet been able to defend their title in Sheffield. You might think that winning a title for a second time, would be easier than securing the first crown. But there’s a big difference. First time around, there is no expectation. You make your way through the rounds, simply playing what is in front of you. Sure, your taking a journey into the unknown as you close in on your first World […]
Read More...Golf Psychology: Jordan Speith – The Water!
It’s Sunday at the Augusta National. And defending Masters champion Jordan Speith is in dominant mood. A run of four birdies has left him seven under par after nine. Despite a couple of subsequent dropped shots, by the time he reaches the par-three ‘Golden Bell’ twelfth, he looks likely to retain the green jacket. His tee shot off twelve goes directly into Raes Creek, that protects the narrow green, It’s ok. It’s a recoverable situation for a mentally strong player like Speith. Then he betrays his clouded mindset by striking his penalty-shot wedge straight back into the water. He still […]
Read More...Cricket Psychology: West Indies – Eat Your Words!
It’s the post-match interviews after a dramatic finish to the World T20 Final. And West Indies captain Darren Sammy is in bullish mood. He’s taking aim at a number of targets. One of whom is former player turned commentator Mark Nicholas, whose derogatory comments about the West Indies having ‘no brains’, have apparently acted as a trigger for their cup winning performance. There’s is nothing more satisfying for a team or an individual than to prove a point. It’s like someone has invaded your secret world with their casual outsider judgement and criticism. And if you have any kind of […]
Read More...Golf Psychology: Rory McIlroy – The Post-Shot Routine
In a few weeks time the world of golf heads to Augusta for the first classic of the season. And world number three Rory McIlroy will be looking to secure his first green jacket. At the moment, McIlroy is a little short of the consistency necessary to win the games top prizes. Moments of magic are interspersed with doses of mediocrity. And he has some interesting things to say on the subject of his game. After a final round seven-under 65, at The Arnold Palmer Invitational, that left him still eleven shots of Jason Day, McIlroy said, “I’ve really beaten myself […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Leicester City – The Unknown!
It’s five minutes from time at the King Power Stadium. Leicester City are holding a slender lead against Newcastle United. And the tension is palpable. On the touchline, Claudio Ranieri is rousing players and fans for one final effort. It’s a scenario we may well see played out again before the curtain is drawn on this unusual Premier League season. With eight games to go and a five point cushion, the Leicester title dream can now become a reality. And that is why Ranieri’s interjection was necessary last night. He needed to break the spell. Break the sense of nervousness […]
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