IntelliSport

Summary

Athletes are often perfectionists. However, there are two main types of perfectionism, one good and one bad. The good form of perfectionism is embodied by a self-oriented desire to maintain high personal standards. The bad form of perfectionism is embodied by a fear of failure or mistakes, and often arises when an athlete is sensitive to coaching or parental expectations, criticisms, or doubts. Predictably, the good form of perfectionism leads to improved athletic performance and effective management of high-pressure situations. The bad form of perfectionism leads to worse athletic performance, poor handling of pressure, and burnout. Coaches and parents should encourage the good form of perfectionism in all athletes, and should be sensitive to placing too much pressure on athletes who tend toward the bad form of perfectionism. Dr.’s Sam Sagar and Joachim Stoeber recently explored these ideas in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.

Implementation

• Analyze each athlete on your team and decide if he or she is a “good” perfectionist or a “bad” perfectionist. This will allow you to more effectively get maximum performance from each of your athletes, by allowing you to encourage them in effective ways according to their type.
• Encourage the good form of perfectionism in all of your athletes by promoting self-oriented goal making and motivation. Encourage all athletes to maintain high personal standards on their own accord, not out of a fear of failure or punishment.
• When it comes to athletes who display fear of failure or sensitivity to expectations and criticism, try to create a paradigm shift toward self-orientation by gently nudging them in the right direction. Remember, these athletes are more prone to burnout than others.