Impact of anger on performance
A number of different things can cause a performer to get angry in sport. If a performer cannot control their anger, it can often lead to negative consequences for both them and the overall performance.
Examples of anger in sport
- at self for mistakes
- at officials for bad decisions
- at opponents for a foul tackle
- at opponents for being better
- at a poor scoreline
- at teammates for their errors
Anger impacts people in different ways. For example, anger at oneself for making basic mistakes and anger at opponents for a bad tackle can impact the performer differently.
Question
Using the 3-step process, how might anger at oneself for a mistake impact performance in football?
An example answer could be...
- Anger at self for poor miss in football.
- Take all anger out on next shot and hit it as hard as possible.
- Lose accuracy and miss again.
Question
Using the 3-step process, how might anger at an opponent for a poor tackle impact performance in football?
An example answer could be...
- Anger at opponent for poor tackle in football.
- Next time opponent has the ball, you lunge in and tackle them late for revenge.
- Receive a yellow card and play the rest of the game under the threat of being sent off for a second offence.
However, if anger can be controlled, it can actually be channelled to positively impact performance.
Uncontrolled anger can ultimately result in a yellow card.
More guides on this topic
- Factors impacting on performance - Introduction
- Impact of mental factors on performance
- Impact of social factors on performance
- Impact of physical factors on performance - Fitness
- Impact of physical factors on performance - Skills
- Impact of physical factors on performance - Tactics
- How factor interaction impacts on performance