The following post is an excerpt from Emotional Aptitude In Sports NOW available through most on-line retailers! Click Here to Order
SOLUTION: Identify the Athlete’s Stress Management Profile
Athletes begin competition with their own unique level of composure. To the untrained eye, two athletes warming up may appear to have a similar athletic ability, but once the competition begins it’s an entirely different story. The degree to which an athlete responds to stress depends on their frustration tolerance level.
Frustration tolerance is the ability to endure stress and maintain composure when met with obstacles.
An athlete’s frustration tolerance level is an essential topic. It plays a crucial role in why seemingly gifted athletes lose. Below are a few observations regarding frustration tolerance and opposing personalities under stress:
- Some folks are both pre-wired and nurtured to agonize and over think. Others are pre-wired and nurtured combatants and ready to fight at the drop of a hat.
- Some athletes become so overwhelmed by the opponent’s intensity that they emotionally withdraw. Other players get motivated by conflict and their energy rises to the occasion.
- Some personalities are designed to thrive in fast pace settings – increasing their productivity under stress. While under the same stress, other personalities shut down due to the trauma.
I’ve found that the customization and repetition of practicing in the manner you’re expected to perform greatly assist those overthinking agonizers. By applying quality practice sessions (infusing simulated pressure into drills) over quantity practice sessions (stagnant familiar drills) overthinking agonizers can be nurtured to become strong competitors.
