The stress comes from the need to win in order to gain a variety of rewards and satisfaction, competition with both teammates and opponents and the pressure to constantly be prepared physically and mentally. Athletes are then motivated to keep learning and to maintain their drive to win.
1. Need to win. You gain various internal and external rewards when you reach your goal of winning sport events. However, the stress on the road to victory may seem insurmountable at times. There is a constant struggle within yourself as you wonder how you’ll win and whether you’ll win. You also face the fear of consequences should you not achieve your goal.
2. Competition. In sports, you compete with your opponents and try to measure up or be better in every single way. Before you face the opposition, you also have to compete with the environment where you’re practicing and aim to be better in order to feel that you belong. Even if you’re competent in the face of adversaries, if you’re falling behind compared to other teammates you will feel the stress and transform it into motivation to improve and cope.
3. The pressure of being prepared. There are times in the middle of a match or game where you are expected to do more than what you’ve already given or are capable of doing. The drive to win may be greater than your actual capacities. Stress sets in due to time pressure and intimidation by stronger opponents.
How Do You Control the Environment?
1. Be driven to perform. The drawback of needing to win is the greater fear of losing. However, the fear may be so great that it can cause you to freeze and perform below your standard. If you want to win, your motivation is driven by secondary goals but if you internalize the sport or the game itself you will be driven by the passion of performing, which in turn can lead to victory. Your sense of control returns when you know that you can manipulate the outcome of the game.
2. Improve your abilities. You will be more confident to compete with your teammates and opponents if you know that you are capable of performing at the same level or beyond. Learning and adaptation are important in sports since you will be facing different players with varying strengths and strategies.
3. Adapt to the situation. During a game, there are several points and periods which will vary in intensity. When you’re facing a rather difficult situation, let aggression set in. The element of chance is also present during these circumstances so the best you can do is adapt to feel control.
What is the Goal and Response?
Your primary goal is to feel competent among other athletes and gain a sense of fulfillment upon winning games. Your secondary goal is gaining rewards and recognition from achieving as well as staying fit and healthy through hard practice. Your response is to improve your abilities in order to perform up to par with your team and opponents and to internalize the process of the sport itself so that you will learn how to derive passion and pleasure in controlling the game.
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