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From a performance perspective, we need to help our players and coaches to reduce competitive stress/pressure. However, we still need to understand that language matter when we tell our players this is a "Must win game" or 1/
https://playerdevelopmentproject.com/dialling-down-pressure/ via @PlayerDP
https://playerdevelopmentproject.com/dialling-down-pressure/ via @PlayerDP
"We have high expectations for you and your performance". For very experienced players this is a positive thing but for most young players this is not helpful. They know they must win the game and believe me, their own expectations are higher than the ones we set for them. 2/
I'm not surprised how teams like G2 w/ the "Hakuna Matata", Fnatic w/ tweets about "0 expectations & nothing to lose" have tried to reduce pressure & let players do what they know how to do best. For the narratives and fans, this is not interesting but for development it is. 3/
For this reason, the work of people closest to the players (coaches, staff, management, etc) is so important to balance the entertainment side of competition (psychological edge, banter) and the performance development & outcomes required to succeed. 4/
"Winning is important, but it is not a matter of life or death, so let’s encourage the players to go and express themselves." @DrMJTurner A free mistake, challenged and support environment will facilitate development and potential success. 5/
