Factor: Emotional Sub Factor: Anger How does anger positively or negatively impact your performance when playing sport?
What is anger? "An emotion whereby the individual has normally been offended, denied, wronged and a tendency to react through retaliation. It is a strong, uncomfortable emotion after being provoked"
What does anger look like in sport? Rugby Tennis Golf
Anger can take a number of different forms A player shouting at themselves after a bad shot or poor pass. Physically lashing out at an opponent e.g. dangerous tackle. Over aggression with a piece of equipment e.g. breaking a stick. Over exerting themselves in a skill such as increasing the power of their next hit pass.
Task Choose an activity. Give a brief description of an “angry” incident. Explain, how this would negatively impact on your performance. Focus on the impact on your performance and the impact on your teams performance. Use the following phrases to help write your answer: “Therefore”, “Because of this”, “This meant”, “The result of this was”
"My opposite player was particularly good at protecting the ball and maintaining possession for his team. I was getting really annoyed at his good play and at myself for letting the team down. I was drawn into making silly fouls against him and eventually my anger and lack of self control resulted in a yellow card and a temporary suspension from the game"
The positive impact of Anger A player who can control their anger or aggression is much more effective. An athlete's ability to maintain control of their anger in the face of adversity and remain positive is essential to successful performance. This then leads to the player’s concentration remaining high and they stay focussed on the game. Subsequently, their skill level and decision making remain high.
The positive impact of Anger Anger gives a performer a certain degree of determination and ensures they commit fully. It is all about controlled aggression and this needs to be channelled effectively. For example in rugby, a player will move aggressively to cover a play, tackle a player and bring them down to the ground. XUU
Task Explain, why being able to control your anger will have a positive impact on your performance. Focus on the impact on your performance and the impact on your teams performance. Use the following phrases to help write your answer: “Therefore”, “Because of this”, “This meant”, “The result of this was”