Knowledge and understanding - Physical factorsSpecial qualities - Creativity

Creativity is the ability of a performer to be unusual, innovative and unique. When a creative performer is facing a problem they can come up with an answer to that problem that is unexpected by the opponent. Creativity can be shown through a skill, movement or a tactic.

Positive impact

A tennis player with good creativity can face an opponent who has just come to the net after a good shot and they are trying to make the court much smaller. The player can show creativity to this problem by shaping up to play a normal shot, then at the last second put a lob on the ball so it loops over the opponent to the back of the court. This gives them a much better chance of winning the point and/or moving the opponent back to the base line.

A golfer facing a difficult shot near the green because a tree is restricting their back swing has to be creative to solve this problem. They can overcome this problem by turning round the toe of the club and standing like a left hander so the tree is now not on the back swing. The golfer can then try to advance the ball onto the green and has a chance to save a score at that hole.

Negative impact

A basketball player with a lack of creativity facing a two versus one situation will not make a decision as quickly and will revert to a safe option. This is more predictable for the defender, who will move to the obvious receiving player and close the space, giving that player less chance of success of getting to the basket.

A rugby team with a lack of creativity in their tactics, will keep trying the same approach for the whole game and be unable to change the way they attack. This makes it very easy for the opponents to set up their defense and have much more chance of stopping try scoring opportunities.