E-Thesis 711 views 232 downloads
A qualitative examination of choking and clutch experiences among performance referees / JOSEPH GREER
Swansea University Author: JOSEPH GREER
Abstract
While much is known about the contexts, mechanisms, moderators, and consequences of excellent (i.e., clutch) and failed (i.e., choke) pressurised performance among athletes, the same cannot be said for officials, who to date, have been largely overlooked within sport psychology literature. This is d...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2023
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MSc by Research |
| Supervisor: | Hill, Denise M. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64424 |
| Abstract: |
While much is known about the contexts, mechanisms, moderators, and consequences of excellent (i.e., clutch) and failed (i.e., choke) pressurised performance among athletes, the same cannot be said for officials, who to date, have been largely overlooked within sport psychology literature. This is despite the fact that sporting officials are expected to perform to consistently high standards under pressure, with poor and good performances holding the possibility of significantly affecting the game they are refereeing. Indeed, it is even the case that at the elite level, poor refereeing performances under pressure can impact the career and livelihood of the players, coaches, and managers involved with the game, such are the potential consequences of refereeing errors. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the psychological factors responsible for clutch and choking under pressure among sporting referees. To achieve this, the study used an interpretive description methodology (Thorne, 2016), whereby semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten UK-based referees (Mage = 28.5, SD = 9.52) who were performing regularly under pressure across a range of sports at the elite and competitive level. Data were then analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2013) flexible approach to thematic analysis, with the findings revealing that various psychological factors were perceived by the referees to be associated with their clutch and choke performances. Those officials who experienced clutch performances, perceived games of greater importance, effective preparation, and supportive coach relationships increased their attentional and emotional control, and allowed for the demands of the game to be effectively managed. This resulted in the positive performance outcomes, positive affect, exhaustion, and a stronger rapport with players and coaches. However, in terms of choking, the referees reported that games of greater importance, overload, and unsupportive working environments encouraged over-refereeing (self-focus) or distraction. This brought about the significant drop in performance, as well as negative affect, worries over receiving negative evaluation, and disengagement from task. Such findings inform recommendations that can be offered to support the pressurised performances of competitive referees. |
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| Keywords: |
Referees, choking under pressure, clutch performance |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |