So You Don't Want To Choke? Just Remember That It's Only A Game!
The Cricket Paper|February 22,2019

Jana Novotna at Wimbledon, Jean van de Velde the British Open, Greg Norman at the Masters, South Africa the 1999 (or 2003) World Cup.

Adam Collins
So You Don't Want To Choke? Just Remember That It's Only A Game!

They roll off the tongue: chokers, the lot of them. When the Melbourne Stars lost 7-19 to capitulate from the proverbial unlosable position in the Big Bash final, the tag was back. They took the gas, they lost the plot – they were chokers and that was that. No further interrogation or consideration.

Andrew McDonald, coach of the Melbourne Renegades, the victorious crosstown rivals, echoed as much in his own analysis of the remarkable turn of events. “Pressure,” he said when asked how it went down. “That’s the only explanation. Purely and simply, pressure does funny things to great players and we see it across all codes and that’s all that happened.”

It’s timely that choking and the broader question of performing under duress has also been addressed in a new book by a young coach on the England cricket scene, Rich Hudson, in his debut book Pressure Myths. Armed with his masters in psychology and the better part of a decade observing players from close quarters, his perspective is a most worthwhile addition.

Hudson’s persuasive thesis is that the fundamental issue for players is misunderstanding the thoughts that pervade their mainframe at specific times of trial. He writes of the “illusory causes” of pressure, built up above the shoulders that can deny a player the ability to do what they have thousands times before in autopilot. If a player can gain an understand the genesis of thoughts and why they happen, he believes, they are less likely to give into them and fold.

Esta historia es de la edición February 22,2019 de The Cricket Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición February 22,2019 de The Cricket Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE CRICKET PAPERVer todo
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
The Cricket Paper

Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win

VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
The Cricket Paper

TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL

James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
The Cricket Paper

Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley

A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
The Cricket Paper

TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY

Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
The Cricket Paper

Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo

WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
The Cricket Paper

NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS

Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
The Cricket Paper

IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE

Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
The Cricket Paper

FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF

One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
The Cricket Paper

Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger

ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
The Cricket Paper

Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat

SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 27, 2020