The psychology of football
Followers of football are sometimes surprised to see an obviously superior team beaten by a weaker combination. Many and varied reasons are always forthcoming to account for these unexpected reverses, but few of them touch the real cause. The mental condition of a team is an all-important factor and means the difference between success and failure.
Tens of thousands of spectators will flock to the various ovals next Saturday afternoon to witness the opening of the 1926 season. They will sum up the chances of the opposing eighteens by a comparison of the physical abilities of the players, giving consideration to such things as weight, strength, stamina, speed, and the other qualities that are looked for in footballers. In judging a team's chances the supporters seldom look beyond the physical aspect. They are apt to consider the players as human machines, forgetting that they have the limitations of human beings whose actions are largely subservient to their minds. In my opinion the mental, unseen condition of a football team transcends in importance the more obvious physical side.
What are some of these unseen factors which bring football victory?
For success the players must have confidence. They must have confidence in themselves, their skipper and their side. This feeling is usually apparent, or not, as the case may be, in the dressing room prior to a match. A carefree, skylarking crowd of players augurs well for the coming fray. Seldom have I seen a more confident spirit in a team than that which prevailed in the Torrens camp prior to the Sturt-Torrens encounter on the Unley Oval in 1924. Although Sturt were the public fancies, Torrens were unusually confident. (I believe that the reappearance of [Leonard 'Booby' or 'Tiny'] Mills was partly responsible.)
It is history how Torrens dashed into the fray and won the match in the first few minutes by kicking six goals against the wind. Praises, which were no doubt deserving, were lavished upon the players, but if one factor more than another won that match it was the spirit of confidence which existed in the team.
Will to win
Determination to win counts. My first match in league football was against West Adelaide, and at half time we were not sweet with our supporters. Prior to leaving the dressing room at half-time ‘Salmon’ Filsell, our coach, told us in forceful style just what was required of us. The team entered the field again feeling like (as it seemed to me) an old Roman legion going into battle with orders to do or to die. Naturally, we chose the former. It is my opinion that ‘Salmon’ Filsell, by creating a spirit of determination in the team, won the game for Torrens.
Realizing the importance of this aspect of football, most skippers nowadays address the team before every match. Although the strictest privacy is assured for these addresses, it is not so much what is said, as how it is said, that counts.
A few hints may be given as to methods to overcome the strong points of the opposition, but if the skipper just tells the team in plain language that they must "get right into it," then each man is liable to enter the fray with an increase in determination. Other things being equal, a good team will be beaten by a good forceful team. Determination is in the make-up of most Australians, and it is the duty of the skipper or coach to see that this sometimes dormant quality is brought to light in a football team.
No dinner
Just as in everything else, coolness is essential in football. Over-anxiety is bad for a team. I know of an experienced player who cannot eat his midday meal upon a match day owing to excitement. I remember that in 1922 the Torrens won their first five engagements, and were due to meet Norwood at Norwood. The match was featured by the press, and was too much on the players' minds. When all the players were ready for action half an hour too soon, they were forced to idle the time, and all their thoughts were on the game. This thinking was, in my opinion, detrimental, and the subsequent kicking that Norwood handed out was a bit too severe to be credited to superiority alone. The importance of that game got the young Torrens team into such a state of anxiety and excitement that they were "easy pickings" for the redlegs.
So much for the spirit in which a team enters the fray. But how often the spectators must be puzzled by a sudden reversal of form right in the middle of the game. As excuses it is often said that certain players were not trying or that they only began to try at a certain stage at the game. Forget it — it is nonsense. In my opinion footballers are always trying.
It is largely a question as to whether their state of mind inspires them to brilliant achievements or reduces them to sluggish mediocrity. It is surprising how little incidents during a game may seriously affect the fortunes of a side. An adverse bounce of the ball or a doubtful decision of the umpire may weigh so heavily with some players that they are put off their true game.
Poor umpire
Players being dissatisfied with the umpire has been the cause of many lost matches. Umpires may make mistakes, but it is surprising the number of players who are ready to believe that a doubtful decision has been given against them intentionally. The result is that these players may soon convince themselves (no one else) that the world is against them, and their spirits sag and their play deteriorates in consequence. It only needs a few players to adopt this attitude and the team is beaten.
A word to supporters: — “If your team has been beaten and some of your players have been 'moaning' at the umpire, don't blame the umpire for the defeat, blame the moaners.”
Sometimes the crowd play's an important part in the result of a game. All other things being equal, the tean with the most supporters (audible and encouraging, of course), will win. The applause of a football crowd inspires a team to greater efforts, especially when the team is attacking. I have even heard an interstate skipper, when addressing the players, speak in the following strain, in order to shake the side up: — "Remember, boys, that there is a big crowd outside expecting you to win". The result is that the players more or less feel the responsibility of their positions, and put in a little harder in consequence.
Sometimes the spectators are aroused to seeming anger by the decisions of the umpire. They promptly proceed to howl him down in relentless style. How many of them consider what the effect might be? With a few thousand spectators howling their disgust at the umpire, it is quite possible that they may convince a player that the umpire is leaning towards the opposition. Should the efforts of the disgruntled crowd have that effect, then, in my opinion, they have presented the opposition with a goal or two — possibly a generous, but certainly not a very wise policy.
Crowd exerts influence
Before leaving the crowd, is it not significant that Norwood, the most successful team since the war, have easily the largest following, while the least successful team—Glenelg—have only a small band of supporters?
Now another aspect that seriously affects the spirit of a team—the form of the club champion. These distinguished individuals carry a greater responsibility than they are aware of. If the club ‘champ’, is being beaten by the opposition the rest of the side are depressed and lack the initiative and ginger essential for success.
As an illustration I shall quote an example that stands out in my memory. A couple of years ago Torrens were playing Port at Alberton, and in the early stages they were being overshadowed by the more dashing football of the Portonians. L. C. ‘Les’ Dayman was doing grand work for them, and I think his brilliance was inspiring to his team, while it had the opposite effect upon the Torrens men. Halfway through the second quarter Mills was brought into the play to try and stop the brilliant marking of Dayman. On this occasion Mills effectively checked him. With the slowing up of their champion a deterioration of the whole Port team was easily discernible. The net result of the duel between these two players was that the "winning spirit" changed sides, and Torrens won easily. The Torrens-Port game at Thebarton last season began in much the same way. On that occasion, however, Dayman retained his mastery in the air. The result was that the magpies played sparkling football throughout and won comfortably.
Irritation tactics
A limited number of players resort to unfair means to reduce the mental about state of their opponents. Crude bluffing is going right out of date. The game at present is played in a fair (not gentle) manner, but it is said that the exception proves the rule. A prominent player indulges in the subtle art of "baiting" his opponents. He realizes that a "marked" player cannot give his best football. By means of irritating tactics he tries to reduce his opponent to such a state that the unfortunate is liable to be put right off his game. The victim usually embarks upon a retaliation campaign, from which the "baiter" receives sundry free marks. The trap is an easy one to fall into, and in consequence should be guarded against.
These examples should show that there are unseen forces working for victory or defeat in every football match, and if I have enabled only a few supporters of the game to obtain glimpses of these forces I am satisfied.
Footnotes
Title: Psychology of football. Factors in victory and defeat. Unseen influences that count Author: O. J. (Pat) O’Grady Publisher: The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 1954) Date: Saturday, 24 April, 1926 Web: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/58517339
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