Have You Ever Been Intimidated by a Crowd?
Do you lose your focus or composure when playing in opposing arenas with loud, vocal crowds?
Have you ever been intimidate by a crowd? Maybe the opposing team had a reputation for excelling at their home site (home field advantage) or the opposing crowd was unusually loud…
You probably felt uncomfortable and nervous even before the competition started…
Focusing on your game was difficult as you became overwhelmed by the opposing team and their crowd…
Playing away from home can be a difficult endeavor for many athletes. Add an unruly crowd to the mix and the competition can seem insurmountable.
Playing away from home has its challenges: playing in an unfamiliar environment, coping with traveling, and noisy crowds.
Being out of your comfort zone can produce anxiety and interfere with performing optimally.
Former NFL offensive lineman Grey Ruegamer highlighted the reason hostile environments can affect performance.
RUEGAMER: “If you allow the ‘hostile environment’ tagline to creep into your psyche, you are wasting time and energy on something other than football and that can affect performance.”
What’s the key to performing optimally in hostile crowds?
First, you need to understand that playing away from home may be uncomfortable but that doesn’t need to interfere with your focus or confidence.
No matter what sport, the sport itself, rules, equipment and the apparatus remain the same.
So playing optimally in hostile environments requires a conscious choice to focus on your game and not all the external distractions.
Ohio State traveled to Penn State for a 2014 mid-season football match-up at boisterous Beaver Stadium. Despite Penn State’s home field advantage, Ohio State looked forward to the challenge.
Ohio State Sophomore defensive lineman Joey Bosa exemplified the Buckeyes’ positive mindset about playing in a hostile environment.
BOSA: “I’ve been waiting to play in this stadium, because apparently it just erupts and is crazy. So I’m super excited.”
Ohio State chose not to be intimidated and instead focused on their game.
BOSA: “Basically just don’t let the crowd get to you… you just keep playing. Keep playing and as the game rolls along and it starts to go our way, then you’ll see it just like any other game.”
Try these tips to play optimally in hostile environments:
- Tip #1: Know that playing in a hostile environment will be different from home but you have a job to do. It’s a matter of choice as to whether you allow these distractions to affect your game.
- Tip #2: Your competitive mindset needs to be the same whether you are on the road or at home. Performing well requires detailed preparation, hard work and focus on your game. By remaining focused on what you can control, you can eliminate distractions and perform at your best.
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- When Your Opponents Intimidate You
- Why Athletes Become Intimidated – Peaksports Video
- Do You or Your Athletes Feel Intimidated About the Competition?
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