Controlling our emotions in sport can be a very interesting process, with many challenges thrown our way to test the very mettle of the most seasoned players.
There is such a range on the emotional scale, that it can be difficult to see clearly and think our way through to achieve a positive result.
John McEnroe is one of the rare sports players who could actually still win, while in a state of frenzied madness.
McEnroe’s tantrums are famous in not only the tennis world but the entire sporting world. Ask any sports follower who John McEnroe is and they will know for sure. Reality is, they probably know him from his tantrums rather than the 7 Grand Slam tennis titles he won. John smashed racquets, crushed water bottles and screamed those oh so famous words, “You cannot be serious!”
John McEnroe was and still is a winner.
The normal outcome when players get overcome with negative emotion is to lose.
On the opposite end of the emotional scale is dizzying nerves when victory is so close.
Jana Novotná was in what seemed to be an unassailable lead against Steffi Graf in the 1993 Wimbledon final only to succumb to uncontrollable nervous emotion and lose the match.
Greg Norman led by 6 shots to Nick Faldo in the 1996 US Masters leading into the final round, only to gain the shakes and shoot a 78. Faldo shot a 67 and took home the mighty Green Jacket.
So how did McEnroe succeed where others faltered?
In short, John was a master sporting mathematician. He was able to problem solve in times of adversity. His outrageous tantrums actually played a key roll in his problem solving. You see, McEnroe never blew up when he was winning. It was only when he was losing or in a very tight situation that he created a distraction from the events around him. His tantrums distracted his opponent, activated his adrenalin, created time to settle and ultimately, allowed him the chance to claw his way back into a match and win.
One of the key components to mathematics is problem solving. 2 + 2 = ?, What is the value of x when x + 5 = 11. We have to problem solve to find the answer to these equations. Sport is no different. I am behind in a match. I need to problem solve to bring the match back to even and then find the solution to victory.
Is my opponent serving really well? I must think how to return more effectively. Is my opponent hitting lots of forehand winners? I must think how to keep the ball away from their forehand side. I am leading and have match points. How did I play to put myself in this situation? We are down 1 nil at half time. What structure do we need to improve in the second half to gain victory? We are in front 1 nil with 10 minutes to go and the opposition is dominating the attacking possession. How do we hold them out to hang on for victory?
We have to problem solve. We must be strong sporting mathematicians.
The challenge is to have the mental clarity to problem solve your way to victory.
Good luck. Every moment is a challenge waiting to happen.
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