Sports Psychology: Anger Management for Athletes

Sports Psychology, Anger Management in Sports: Why Do Some Athletes Snap?

Recently, I was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America. A producer asked me to comment on the recent act of violence on Ranger vs. Island hockey game.

I have written about violence in sports in the past and have been interviewed by the British Broadcasting Company on this topic. However, this most recent act got me thinking a bit more about what causes this type of vicious behavior and what can be done to prevent it from happening again.

I believe that some of the athletes who behave violently are people who grew up in dysfunctional families where they were exposed to violence, cruelty, substance abuse and chaos. These types of environments do little to encourage the development of qualities such as kindness and empathy.

To make matters worse, some violent athletes are currently abusing drugs, alcohol, and / or steroids that can intensify their internal rage.

Part of the violence can be attributed to the fact that many athletes have not learned to control their emotions because they have spent much of their time mastering their craft, which is their sport. In short, they are quite talented physically, but they are quite underdeveloped emotionally and quite immature.

Many of the sports we love, such as soccer and hockey, have a violent component, and in some cases, athletes are rewarded for being tough and very physical competitors. Sometimes it is difficult to control your own aggressiveness once it is allowed, appreciated and rewarded.

Elite athletes are highly regarded in our society and sometimes receive special treatment, special favors, and special attention during their formative years. This “special treatment” can give rise to a feeling of grandeur that can lead some athletes to feel “above the law” and not liable to be punished. Consequently, they have difficulty thinking about the consequences of their actions.

Some athletes may suffer from one of several psychiatric illnesses such as Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Depression, or Narcissistic Personality Disorder. People with these types of illnesses may have trouble controlling their anger and have difficulty caring about other people’s feelings. Hurting others may not upset them in the way that it can upset most of us. Players with these types of conditions can be quite dangerous on and off the field.

It is also important to remember that athletes are human and a violent act on the field of play may be related to some frustration that they are experiencing in another area of ​​their life. A conflict with a wife or lover can cause an athlete to have a bad day in “his office”, which is a court or playing field.

Some athletes rave about crowds and fans. Like rock stars and entertainers, some sports stars enjoy the attention and adoration they receive from large numbers of people. The best athletes can get caught up in the enthusiasm of the fans and lose control of their emotions and behavior.

Leagues can help minimize violence in sports by having clear and strict penalties for violent acts. I have helped many athletes drive by teaching them anger management techniques, meditation, visualization, and self-hypnosis. These types of programs should be included in many organized sports programs. And it’s probably a good idea to start this type of training with young athletes while the athletes are in their formative years.

Athletes who demonstrate a pattern of violent behavior should be evaluated and referred for the appropriate type of mental health counseling. Some leagues may resist this type of intervention, but I believe that this type of program is essential to minimize violence in sport.