Importance of Character in Sports Performance

I do not think there is a Viagra pill that can suddenly rid sports of all its ills and infuse such spirits that would catapult sportsperson to ultimate glory. Such short-term measures may show instant results momentarily, but not repeatedly. They will not make a champion out of you. There are no quick-fix solutions.

I am looking at a holistic view of improving sporting activity, nurturing the talent available, assisting them in achieving excellence in their discipline and also preparing them for a productive life after their "sporting life" is over. In the process of creating excellent sportsperson, I also have a dream of molding their character and personalities which would not only stand them in good stead during an active sporting carrier but throughout life. There is an incredible talent that we can ill-afford to ignore.

I have a vision that someone should take under their wings, without disturbing the existing structure of "training", all young potential sportsperson in the age group of 8 years to 14 years and 15 years to 21/25 years, for imparting soft skills and emotional literacy. The literacy should be provided continuously as a 'course' during their sporting-skill training at Centers. Subject-specific workshops must also be conducted at regular intervals. The idea is to in-grain these skills into their psyche that they automatically begin to 'live' these skills. The sports fields should be their 'classrooms' where they learn to be soft-skill-and-emotionally literate sportsperson.

It is widely accepted that sports and games provide lessons for soft skill and personality/character development. In fact, games and sports serve as a resource to teach soft skills in management and other educational institutions. When a sportsperson participates in competitive games and sports, he tends to unconsciously learn and develop his soft skills. By the time he is proficient in these skills his active sporting life is over. He gets no opportunity to use these skills to contribute to excellence in his chosen sports discipline. It is too late. I recommend some 'reverse engineering' merely by changing the timing of his exposure. Whilst developing sporting skills, the sportsperson should be imparted soft skills and emotional literacy side-by-side. When he graduates into a team of some 'level', it must be with all these skills in place. Thereafter, he has ample opportunity to contribute to individual or team excellence as the case may be. And of course, his skills are not only used to achieve excellence, but also fine-tuned and improved upon with live experience.

I have tentatively identified important defining skills for sportsperson involved with:-

Team sports

- Reliability

- Constructive Communication

- Active Listening

- Active Participation

- Sharing Openly and Willingly

- Cooperation and Helpfulness

- Flexibility

- Commitment

- Problem solving

- Respectful and Supportive

Individual Sports

- Goal Setting

- Decision-Making

- Communication

- Conflict Management

- Time Management

- Execution

Emotional Intelligence/Literacy (both team and individual)

- Emotional Self Awareness

- Accurate Self Assessment

- Self Confidence

- Emotional Self Control

- Empathy

- Influencing Others

The final set of skills to be imparted will be decided consequent to a Detailed Needs Analysis and after necessary interaction with the athletes and coaching/support staff.

Most people involved in sport agree that proper behavior makes the sport better and that character matters. While there is a great amount of attention paid today to ideals of sportsmanship, or positive relational character - respecting self, teammates, opponents, and the game - little consideration is paid to the influence that an athlete's or coach's character actually has on performance. Besides the evolution of "sportsmanship" programs which are intended to heighten awareness about the realities of sport today - the relationship between character and performance is seldom addressed. Despite the logical link between character and performance, many coaches dismiss this as an intangible factor that is immeasurable!

Performance and relational character are not mutually exclusive. 'Performance character' focuses on the diligence, perseverance, and self-discipline necessary to a commitment to academic, athletic, and other areas of excellence. 'Moral or relational character' embodies the traits of integrity, justice, caring, and respect - needed for successful interpersonal relationships and ethical behavior.

Character strengths such as hope, perseverance, creativity, and zest are but a few traits which, when habituated, provide sport participants the greatest opportunity to improve performance and enjoyment. Hope is about goal-setting and optimism, creativity is about finding alternative strategies to improve performance, and zest is about the enthusiasm that players and coaches bring to the field.

An athlete who has developed a strong character can call on a foundation of well-formed habits in aspiring to true excellence. The competition of the sports arena, together with a personal goal to optimize performance, challenges the athlete to continually stretch his or her abilities through deliberate practice, a focused and effort-full rehearsal. We must 'will' good habits and improved skills; we cannot just 'wish' them to happen. What separates successful performers from others is the ability to make the most of what they can control in their aspirations for optimal performance. This does not mean that anyone can become an elite athlete, but it does mean that athletes can strive to perform to the best of their ability levels - aspiring to excellence as individuals and as members of a team.

Ajit K Singh has a Masters in Economics from Delhi University. Among his varied interests is a passion for Philosophy, Psychology, Soft Skills and related subjects. Following the family tradition, he got commissioned in the Indian Air Force as an Administrative Officer. He specialized in selection of Officers for commissioning, having done a course in the Defense Institute of Psychological Research, Delhi. Post retirement he researched and became a trainer in Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence, including Life Skills. He is an avid writer and occasional poet.

E-mail: ajitsingh140354@gmail.com

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3 Ways to Overcome Stage Fright and Boost Your Performance

Whether you are an amateur or professional, a sportsperson or musician, nerves can strike and mean that your performance is not the best you are capable of. How would you like to learn some techniques to overcome those nerves? Let me show you.

If you can practice well you can perform well.

In my hypnotherapy practice, I work with ice-skaters, horse-riders and football players. All of them have at least one thing in common - they are really good at what they do. In the practice area, they can do all the moves expertly. But when it comes time to compete or perform in front of an audience, they turn to jelly - as one of them puts it! I myself am a keen horse-rider and I too have suffered from these problems - that is why I went into hypnotherapy as it had worked on me.

Technique 1 - Breathing to centre.

One of the most effective techniques you can learn is how to get into the right state of mind before a performance. Try this - stand up in a safe place and place on hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Now breathe in and hold your chest still and allow your stomach to expand. Breathe out in the opposite way - push your stomach in and keep your chest still. Feels good doesn't it? Practice this often and try it just before a performance - it really helps you focus and the nerves just disappear.

Technique 2 - Take a different view.

When you are performing and competing, it is easy to think that the judges are out to get you, or the other competitors are looking down on you. Take a moment to 'step into their shoes' - those other competitors may well be more nervous than you! They certainly don't have time to worry about you. The judges are probably looking forward to a really good performance - and that is going to be yours, isn't it?

Focus makes all the difference.

Top players, actors and performers in a spheres share the ability to keep their focus no matter what. If something goes wrong, they put it to one side and perform the next movement as if nothing happened. Too often, people can go to pieces after one small error that was barely noticeable. So focus needs to be cultivated until it is second nature. That brings us to our final technique -

Technique 3 - Focus, focus, focus.

Your best work comes when you are 'in the moment' so try this tip to regain your focus. Take a deep breath into your stomach. Grow tall and imagine tying that error onto a balloon and letting it float away. Now into the next movement, perfectly.

Conclusion

There are many more techniques you can learn but why not give these a try - they have worked brilliantly in horse-riding competitions, and my performers I work with have really benefited too.

So, you leave the under-performing behind you and your self-confidence will grow and grow. Your fellow competitors will look at you in a new light, and the judges will look forward to your performance.

Ken Scott is a Master Hyponotherapist and NLP Master Coach who practices online and at clinics in Sheffield, UK. He specialises in sports psychology and works with actors and singers too. Have a look at http://ashesscott.com/

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