Knowledge and understanding - Emotional factorsAnger

Anger is an emotion which has usually been caused by an event or series of events which the performer has had a reaction to. This could be because they have been offended, denied or wronged. It could also be down to much stronger performance from the opposition or an unlucky event. What starts as frustration can quickly change into a much stronger emotion.

Positive impact

A rugby player has been making several mistakes with their kicking for touch. This has been putting the team under a lot of pressure. The player is getting more and more angry with himself. A teammate notices this and has a quick word to help him re-focus.

The player has an opportunity to make a tackle. He channels the anger into the point of impact and makes sure the arms wrap round and the hit is full force.

This channelled anger helps dislodge the ball and the team gain possession in a good position on the pitch.

A cricket batter is struggling to score runs against a very consistent pair of bowlers. The batter is getting angry with the bowlers delivering such consistent line and pace.

The batter reminds himself this is what he faces in the practice nets and to be patient.

Eventually the bowler sends down a wider delivery and the batter channels their anger into a powerful shot which reaches the boundary, increasing his score.

Negative impact

A golfer is struggling with their putting during a competition. What starts as annoyance and frustration, grows into anger, especially after a shorter putt is missed on one of the greens.

At the next tee the golfer allows their anger to boil over and they try to hit the drive far too hard. This sends the ball into the rough making the next shot much more difficult, adding to their poor score.

A basketball player is struggling against a much stronger forward. This opponent is winning more rebounds and is very good at protecting the ball.

The layer gets angry that they cannot help the team out more and that they hardly get any possession.

This anger leads to silly fouls against the opponent and eventually leads to being fouled out of the game. This means the team is left playing with a disadvantage and has less chance of winning.