A qualitative examination of choking under pressure in team sport

Denise M. Hill; Gareth Shaw

doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.07.008

A qualitative examination of choking under pressure in team sport

Denise M. Hill, Gareth Shaw

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Objectives
As choking in sport has only been examined to date through athletes performing individual sports and/or closed skills, this study uses a qualitative methodology to provide a unique insight into choking within the team sport setting.

Design and methods
Through individual semi-structured interviews, the experiences of eight athletes who choked under pressure regularly whilst playing a team sport were examined in detail.

Results
The participants perceived their choking episodes were associated with a range of antecedents, mechanisms, moderators and consequences. Many of which were similar to those found within individual sports/closed skills; although differences were noted. This study supports the suggestion by Hill, Hanton, Matthews, and Fleming (2010a) that choking in sport may be caused by distraction, debilitative anxiety and low perceived control, and that its consequence is a significant drop in performance.

Conclusions
The study extends the choking literature and offers information for practitioners working with teams.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	103-110
Journal	Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Volume	14
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.07.008
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2013
Externally published	Yes

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1469029212000957

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title = "A qualitative examination of choking under pressure in team sport",

abstract = "ObjectivesAs choking in sport has only been examined to date through athletes performing individual sports and/or closed skills, this study uses a qualitative methodology to provide a unique insight into choking within the team sport setting.Design and methodsThrough individual semi-structured interviews, the experiences of eight athletes who choked under pressure regularly whilst playing a team sport were examined in detail.ResultsThe participants perceived their choking episodes were associated with a range of antecedents, mechanisms, moderators and consequences. Many of which were similar to those found within individual sports/closed skills; although differences were noted. This study supports the suggestion by Hill, Hanton, Matthews, and Fleming (2010a) that choking in sport may be caused by distraction, debilitative anxiety and low perceived control, and that its consequence is a significant drop in performance.ConclusionsThe study extends the choking literature and offers information for practitioners working with teams.",

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AB - ObjectivesAs choking in sport has only been examined to date through athletes performing individual sports and/or closed skills, this study uses a qualitative methodology to provide a unique insight into choking within the team sport setting.Design and methodsThrough individual semi-structured interviews, the experiences of eight athletes who choked under pressure regularly whilst playing a team sport were examined in detail.ResultsThe participants perceived their choking episodes were associated with a range of antecedents, mechanisms, moderators and consequences. Many of which were similar to those found within individual sports/closed skills; although differences were noted. This study supports the suggestion by Hill, Hanton, Matthews, and Fleming (2010a) that choking in sport may be caused by distraction, debilitative anxiety and low perceived control, and that its consequence is a significant drop in performance.ConclusionsThe study extends the choking literature and offers information for practitioners working with teams.

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JO - Psychology of Sport and Exercise

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A qualitative examination of choking under pressure in team sport

Abstract

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