Cool, Calm and Collected...Wins!
by Steve Fraser, 1984 Olympic Gold Medallist
Why do some athletes choke or get crazy with anger in adverse competitive situations and other athletes stay calm and focused on the job at hand?
Why do some get negative emotions flowing and others remain positive?
I believe that toughness is very important to the athlete. Toughness means that no matter how difficult the situation, no matter what has happened, you can generate positive emotion that allows you to get to your "Ideal Competitive State" or being - the state of being where you are challenged, energized and excited about the fight. Along with that you have the physical, mental and emotional strength of conditioning and discipline to bring you through. This is toughness in competition.
Toughness, however, can be sabotaged by negative emotional responses. Negative emotional response to the stresses of competition include:
Tanking - the act of quitting or giving up inside and/or making excuses.
Getting angry and negative.
Choking.
All of these negative responses tend to relieve the pain and fear that accompanies competitive adversity or failure. Quitting and/or giving up is the biggest example of "tanking". Excuse making and reducing your amount of effort is another common form of "tanking". Subconsciously, some athletes ten to realize that if they reduce their emotional involvement it will reduce fear and nervousness during the match. Here are some specific examples of "tanking":
"The ref screwed me, how can I possibly win."
"My coach is a jerk; I never compete will with him around."
"I didn't try today...otherwise I could have easily won."
"I hate competing overseas. The food stinks, the hotel was bad and my time clock is off."
"My opponent cheated. That's why I lost."
Getting angry during the heat of the battle or after a loss is another form of negative emotional response to adversity. Like "tanking", the anger response to competitive situations also act as a protective mechanism for the athlete. It can be used to protect one's self image.
As a coach, I have seen this happen many times to some of my athletes as well as others. Some very successful athletes tend to fall into this trap after they have experienced major accomplishments and now are struggling with what, in their mind, should be a lesser opponent or competition. They forget that every opportunity in competition should be tackled with the same challenged attitude that got them their previous victories. Some accomplished athletes tend to thing, now that they have succeeded, every opponent should just lie down for them...and that every referee or official should give them all the close calls, always giving them the edge.
The moment you start thinking that things should always go your way is the time you are in trouble. You have to go into every competition like you love it. Enjoying the competition is what will keep you sharp and passionately into your career.
Anger can be directed in two directions. Inward or outward...Inward means you get angry with yourself saying such things as "Boy, I am terrible" or "That was stupid, man what an idiot I am." This inward anger is sure death for you. The outward directed anger, I contest, is also, in the long run detrimental to your performance. You may get away with it on occasion, but more likely than not, it will blow up in your face.
I believe to be at your best you must be having fun. Being angry all the time goes against the idea of enjoying the battle and living your career to the fullest.
"Tanking", anger and fear are all normal responses to the pressure of competition.
Responding to crisis, adversity and pressure with a sense of challenge and love of the battle takes intense practice and should be the goal of all athletes who strive for the ultimate success. The true champions and leaders sport have mastered this toughness skill that helps them to be champions not only in sport, but also in all aspects of their personal life.
"EXPECT TO WIN"