"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from
something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to
have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the
skill."
~ Muhammad Ali
In the majority of cases talent will have been spotted and
nurtured early. Intense and high-level coaching over a number of years will have
imbued technique and skill, a thorough understanding of tactics and excellent
physically fitness that sets them aside from the enthusiastic weekend
player.
So what is it that gives some the edge over the others? What
is it that means they can hold their nerve in a penalty shootout, shut out on
and off the pitch distractions and climb right up to the top of the
pile?
Mental strength is as every bit as vital as physical
strength. It is what ultimately defines winners and losers.
Handling pressure
So called 'choking' in sport is the result of the intense
pressure a player perceives herself to be under. This pressure results in
judgement failure which leads to unforced errors.
It also takes a physical toll, manifesting itself in increase
heart rate and muscle tightening.
According to Clinton Gahwiler, a distinguished sports
psychologist and adviser to the South African Olympic team, the ability to
handle pressure is a skill that can be changed and improved by working on
it.
"Basic mental skills involve becoming aware of one's ideal
internal state, and then developing techniques for creating, monitoring and
maintaining this state during important performances," he says.
Example techniques for preparing for high pressure
situations:
* Visualizing or imagining the moment. Players should
imagine the experience of scoring a penalty to win in a shoot-out in a final or
seal the championship
* When practicing simulate the pressure as far as
possible. Create noise, get opponents to try and distract the subject, and put
hier off verbally and mentally
Match day nerves
A common sporting term for a player who appears
totally
determined and fully focused on the challenge facing them is that they are 'in
the zone'.
Many sports psychologists believe that a certain level of
nervous before a game is a good thing. In broad terms, channeled correctly it is
a stimulus towards optimum performance. However if it becomes anxiety and
nerves, the players vacate the zone and do not perform to their
potential.
