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With the arrival of the knockout matches of the football world cup, the tension will be enormous for the supporters in the stadiums, the bars or in front of their television. To help them still enjoy these moments under high emotional tension, here are some tips.
The tense stomach from 2 p.m., the tricolor jersey worn proudly on the shoulders, and the intrinsic fear of being eliminated from the football world. We are not talking about a player, but a supporter! But how to approach this meeting as serenely as possible? With the approach of the knockout matches (and the round of 16 of France against Poland on Sunday) how to remain calm in front of a match? Here are some tips from Anthony Mette, author of the book “Mental preparation for athletes”*.
Prepare for the worst-case scenario
We all know that sport is not an exact science and leaving favorite can be synonymous with disappointment. The mental trainer advises anticipating disaster scenarios to keep hope in difficult times. These are called shields. “The more the supporter knows how to anticipate the key moments of a match, the more he will spot the flaws and be useful in supporting the team”. When you know that at the stadium the supporters can influence the match by 20% to 30%, depending on the trainer, it’s worth preparing.
think about breathing
“The whole stadium holds its breath”. It is a natural reflex in the event of tension, but which turns out to be counterproductive to remaining calm. Poor oxygenation creates norepinephrine, also called the stress hormone. Among the side effects, it speeds up the heart rate and slows down digestion. To help find your breath, the coach suggests doing breathing exercises during the day. Taking time to inhale and exhale slowly and deeply can help keep you calm during a tense game.
Stay fair play
Easier said than done, especially in a sport where chambering is part of the culture. However, having a positive attitude allows you to better enjoy the moment and keep a good-natured atmosphere. The coach notices that a light frame of mind encourages the players and allows the supporters to appreciate the match even more. Because if the pressure rises, it leads to the party and not to scenes of violence.
These tips can also be used in other more recurring stressful situations, so why not try them out in a game and adopt them on a daily basis?
*”Athlete’s mental preparation” by Anthony Mette, at Vigot, 2017