Psychology

Nature vs Nurture

Champions are not born; they are made… Or so they say. But are we kidding ourselves? Are we living a lie that anyone can reach the Hogan Stand, the Wembley steps, the Olympic podium? Or can anyone on God’s planet do whatever the hell they wish? The nature debate explains that ability is an underlying trait – it is either in someone’s genetic make-up, or it isn’t. Learning a skill and even perfecting it will take you so far but, when it comes down to it, without a pre-disposed ability, your greatness has a ceiling. However, nurture enthusiasts will throw Ali’s quotes at you: “Champions are made from something deep inside them. … Continue reading →

Sweat Plus Sacrifice Equals Success

For many of us sport is something that is very much a part of our everyday lives, even when it gets us down and you think ‘i’ve had enough’ you haven’t really. That feeling of adrenaline rushing through your body as you push yourself to the limit knowing there was nothing more you could do in your attempt for glory is one all sports people yearn for. As time passes glory the once shining chalice can become a tainted image along with broken bones, torn hamstrings, metal hips, joint replacements and constant physiotherapy. However, for most the glory is not the shining chalice, but something much greater, a deeper lying glory that … Continue reading →

Training The Free Kick

The free kick, one of the most difficult skills to perform successfully in football. Having a set piece specialist in your team can be a serious weapon, getting your side three points away from home when nothing is going your way. Or when the chips are down, the last few minutes to get into the World Cup, someone can step up and perform heroics. ‘Becks’ is of course one of the most talented players of our generation, a unique technique that is unlikely to be replicated. There have been a number of other free kick specialists, namely, Del Piero, Drogba, Marcos Assuncao, Juninho Pernambucano, and of course Cristiano Ronaldo. These players have … Continue reading →

Man-Management

For me, it is the most underrated thing on this planet (well, that and Richard Dunne’s tiki-taka abilities). Man-management, be it any walk of life, is the key to achieving whatever goal you have set out to reach. You wouldn’t expect someone to marry you (or something cruder) without some form of interaction skills. You shouldn’t expect a child to grow up into the model person you want them to be in the absence of parental guidance. Don’t expect a successful career in marketing and retail if you are unable to sell your products; if you are not someone a consumer would warm to. People buy from people. And similarly, in the … Continue reading →

Choking in Sport: FAO Andy Murray

When it comes to choking, I think it’s safe to say that I have been there and done that. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, “Sure haven’t we all received a red card 2 minutes after being brought on? Haven’t we all been substituted after 20 minutes (if that) in a championship final? Aren’t we all haunted by the one-on-one ghosts of 5-aside football?” Maybe so. But having experienced, first hand, the mysteries and fast-paced cruelties of choking in sport, it has always been something which vastly intrigued me – if not just for the reassuring feeling that I am not alone. At the highest level of any sport, there are consistent … Continue reading →