I've always loved playing sports, but sometimes I felt as if I were going to explode from all of the pressure. It might have been pressure from my parents or coaches to do better, practice more or try harder. Other times it was pressure from my teammates or myself to get the game winning hit or make one more free throw. The pressure to perform well and win can take the fun out of the games we play.
It seems that today the pressure in competition has increased. Athletes are making millions of dollars playing games. Parents, coaches, players and fans are being stirred into a frenzy that has resulted in violence during little league ball games. Everyone is hoping that their child will be the next superstar. Our society is taking the fun out of sports by emphasizing winning over the many other benefits offered by organized sports.
I stumbled across this great article on pressure at KidsHealth. It offers an explanation of pressure and provides some great ideas for trying to ease the pressure you might be experiencing before that big game (or test). These days when I am playing golf and start to experience that unsettling feeling of pressure, I usually hit the ball terribly in the most ridiculous places. Like the time in that last picture where the ball landed in a bunker (not good!) and my feet were swallowed up by the sand. I actually made a decent shot from the bunker because to ease the pressure I felt I laughed about my situation - I was in the bunker, my feet were buried and my shoes were full of sand!
Have you ever experienced pressure like mentioned in the article in sports or in school? If so, what did you do to help ease that feeling?
You're right, that was a good article re. pressure in kids' competitions. Thanks for writing your blog. Thought you'd like to know that other teachers are reading it!
Posted by: Darla | November 12, 2005 at 12:10 PM
I don't like thi
Posted by: Emily | March 10, 2006 at 08:00 AM