By John Kane. 

It begins in the mind and will always show itself in some physical way. We have all felt it, that feeling of starting a new job or supposedly the biggest fear in humans -  Public Speaking! It shows itself physically with a tic, hesitation, nervous stomach, or, in a different sense, the great instinctive move, a diving catch or game-winning free kick from an impossible angle. All can be the result of fear. Mostly within the GAA the feelings of fear are never talked about or admitted to, not even as one of the most underrated forms of motivation.

Amazing when you think about it. Why wouldn’t you be afraid if you were being physically intimidated by a 6’2 full back whose career has been forged on intimidation or the wiry corner back that would use any form of intimidation including spitting in order to gain an advantage on an opponent? Of course, you’d be afraid. It’s just not normally the kind of fear that makes players retreat. But it can happen.

Why don’t football players admit fear? Because it’s not the strong-man, I can-beat-the-world thing to do. Admitting fear might cause your own team to question your ability on the field at crucial moments. It could cause a coach not to play you. Yet, while players are worried about not showing fear, coaches have been using it to motivate (scare) players to perform. If you thought you might lose your job, wouldn’t you work harder?

If you can take the time to understand fear, you can use it. You can admit fear is there without fear diminishing your performance. I feel all players have a little fear each time they pull on their jersey. Afraid of failure, of letting teammates down, of letting their parish or county down and of course, being hurt. That fear can make a better player. Turning fear into a positive force is a matter of concentration and focus. If you train your thoughts on the job that have to be done, then you don’t have time to think about your fears. The free kicker who thinks about the ramifications of the free usually ends up missing.

However, there are lots of times or moments that fear negatively affects performance. The player who receives a bad injury through an accident or not, remembers the incident clearly, the day, time, weather, competition, ground, pain, what really happened and who did it. (I’d say Joe Canning remembers it vividly) These are memories that never go away. Physically a player nowadays can return but enough fear can creep into the players’ game that their performance suffers.

The next time a situation in play reminds them of the injury they think too much and fear takes them. It is then time for the player to begin to try and deal with their fear. Their fear is now their enemy. They begin to protect their body and put themselves into areas and situations which will mean they can’t get hurt on or off the ball. The corner forward who for no reason decides to play as a third midfielder. The full forward who scored 1-3 in the first half who after a schmuzzle, scores 0-0 the rest of the game.

When any player makes a mistake, it will definitely show up on the DVD. If the team thinks it was an error caused by fear, they may never say anything directly to that player, avoiding eye contact as the play is reviewed so they don’t feel obligated to make any statement. They might give a player the ”that’s O.K., man. You’ll get over it,” then watch him to see if it happens again. A player can feel isolated, alone in this cold black space, and resentful. He can also admit to himself that he was afraid at that one instant and resolve to beat it.

Mark Harmon, the former U.C.L.A. quarterback who is now an actor, was one of the few athletes who openly talked about his emotions. Mark said as a player he always suppressed his feelings which are a major part of the psychology of any game. Now as an actor he has to reach down, find those emotions and use them. Let them show. As athletes we should find a way to use our emotions, including fear, to be better at what we do.

There are a few tips I use with players when we finally both agree that fear is affecting their game.

Admit That You Are Afraid – Recognising that fear is a factor is the first step in correcting it.

Learn and Prepare – Nothing minimises fear more than being over prepared. The higher the confidence level players have in their ability, the less likely they are to become afraid of the outcome.

Focus on Positive Images - There are many images that players can visualise when motivating themselves. If the images are positive then the outcomes are more likely to be positive. Michael Jordan often visualised making free throws in his back yard when making high-pressure free throws in games.

Listen to Experience – When going into a new situation, seek advice from people who have been there before. Older siblings or players can help less-experienced players better understand the situation.

Stay Busy - Withdrawing into oneself provides even more time for negative thoughts. Staying busy with friends and family is an easy way to relax and minimise the opportunity for fear.

NBA Boston Celtics great Bill Russell used to throw up before every one of his games and the singer Barbara Streisand admitted the same. These two performers have been the best at what they do. Possibly, keeping that little bit of fear under control can be the difference in having that extra edge or desire when you’re under the most pressure.

Bio on John Kane: John has been working as a Sport Psychologist Consultant since 2006 after graduating from Brunel University London with and MSc in Sport Psychology. It was here while studying he got the opportunity to work with Chris Coleman at Fulham FC, Steve Coppell at Reading FC, Sir Clive Woodward at Southampton FC Academy and also at Quins Rugby Club. Since returning full time to N.Ireland he has become an accredited consultant with Coaching Ireland and NI Sport and a Sport Psychology member with the Irish Sports Institute. He has worked with lots of different National Governing Bodies, and professional athletes at both regional and national level in various sports such as, Rugby, Gaelic Football and Association Football. He is currently working with Glentoran FC who have recently won the inauragal Irish Premier League and with Tennis Ireland as well as various GAA inter-county players and teams. He has also worked very closely with the GAA administration both with Pat Daly Head of Games at Croke Park and Tony Scullion Head of Football in Ulster Council.

 John has been involved with a wide range of elite athletes and teams and has great experience and knowledge of what really goes on inside elite teams’ training and changing rooms. His company Clifton Sport Psychology deals with athletes and teams on a daily basis and the company prides itself on being able to enhance performance not only in the sporting world but in business and education also.

John himself comes from a strong GAA background as he has represented his county at all levels and is part of the Kane McCartan dynasty which has been involved with Down GAA since the 60s.