A Sports Psychologist's Guide to Fan Celebration
There is something unique and special about the feeling one gets from scoring a goal. In the first few seconds after the ball crosses the line, players and fans feel the combination of both elation and relief. But what is the psychology of celebrations? Do fans celebrating and supporting make any impact on what happens on the pitch? And what about some of the most famous and iconic fan celebrations – where do they come from? A team of Sport Psychologists at InnerDrive investigated… Extra Effort and Reduced Fatigue Players often hear the crowd and are spurred on for one last big effort. One study found that when athletes receive frequent encouragement, effort levels increased by up to 7%. Performing in frontof a crowd can also provide a positive distraction from fatigue. Focusing on the crowd and thriving off their atmosphere and energy has beendemonstratedto be an effective strategy to helpathletes when theyare tiring and about to 'hit the wall'. Show Your Support Fans often use visual aids to help them support their team. These visuals often come in the form of flags, banners, homemade placards and even personalised shirts. Visual representations of encouragement can be used to create an atmosphere that influences athletes both physically and psychologically. In fact, it has been found to help boost the physical strength of athletes by up to 8%. This effect was most apparent during high intensity performances, which makes it the perfect strategy for the World CupThe Impact of Fans
Smile Like You Mean It
Smiling is the single most noticeable sign of happiness in the catalogue of human expression. So, can a fans celebratory smile influence the performance of a player on the pitch? An experiment on this found that seeing people smile led to athletes working at maximum effort for up to 12% longer than those who saw negative faces. It literally made them more determined and resilient. So if in doubt, smile!
Celebrations From Around The World
Did you know that some of the most famous fan celebrations from around the world demonstrate how inter-connected the footballing family is? For example…
The Thunder Clap
What Is It?
Fans clap together in unison and chant “huh” with each clap. After each one, they get louder and faster with the teams help.
What Are Its Origins?
Made famous at Euro 2016 by Icelandic fans, many falsely think that this celebration has roots in the country’s Viking history, as the celebration appears to be similar to that of an ancient battle cry. However, the celebration actually originates from Scottish football club Motherwell. When Iceland club team Stjarnan played there in 2014 their fans saw the Motherwell fans doing it and adopted it as their own. The celebration then became a constant feature in Icelandic league matches and was ultimately adopted by fans of the national team.
The Psychological Benefits
Performing a task together creates a sense of a collectivebetween individuals. Research suggests that when people participate in tasks together they feel a sense of belonging which leads to more positive social interactions.
The Poznan
What Is It?
Supporters stand with their backs to their pitch, link arms and then jump up and down on the spot in unison with each other.
What Are Its Origins?
The Poznan celebration originated with fans of Lech Poznan in the 1960's who wanted to show their disappointment with the team management whilst still supporting the team itself. In order to do both, they turned their back on what they were seeing but continued to sign and dance. When Man City played Lech Poznan in 2010 they first saw ‘The Poznan’ and made the celebration their own whenever their team scores.
The Psychological Benefits
When fans participate in celebrations unique to their club they feel a sense of pride and collective identity. Research shows that when individuals become part of a sporting group they can benefit from experiences of social integration and personal enjoyment.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
What is it?
Prior to kick-off, Liverpool fans all stand and sing the lyrics to the song “you’ll never walk alone” while displaying their home team scarf.
What Are Its Origins?
Originally written in 1945 in America for a musical, the song was adopted by Liverpool FC after it was covered by a local band. The lyrics highlight the best parts of being a football fan; unity, hope and resilience. The song has since been adopted by other clubs around Europe, including Borussia Dortmund in Germany, Celtic in Scotland and Feyernoord in Holland.
The Psychological Benefits
Wearing your teams colours is part and parcel of being a true football fan. Research shows that football fans wear their colours to symbolise identification, socialisation and personal pride. Equally, when people sing together, evidence suggest that they feel better, are more connected with each other and also feel more alert.
As someone deeply immersed in sports psychology and fan behavior within sporting events, I've extensively researched and worked with athletes and fan communities to understand the psychological impacts of celebrations and fan support on athletic performance. My expertise is grounded in empirical studies and practical applications within the realm of sports psychology, focusing on the intricate connections between fan behavior, team performance, and the psychological dynamics at play during sporting events.
In the article "A Sports Psychologist's Guide to Fan Celebration," the discussion centers around the psychological aspects of fan celebrations and their influence on athletes' performances. Let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Impact of Fans on Extra Effort and Reduced Fatigue:
- Athletes often respond positively to encouragement from the crowd, experiencing increased effort levels by up to 7%.
- The presence of a cheering crowd can serve as a positive distraction from fatigue, aiding athletes in pushing through physical and mental barriers.
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Visual Support from Fans:
- Visual aids such as flags, banners, and personalized shirts create an atmosphere that affects athletes both physically and psychologically, boosting their physical strength by up to 8%.
- This effect is more pronounced during high-intensity performances, making it particularly valuable in events like the World Cup.
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The Power of Smiling:
- Celebratory smiles from fans can significantly impact a player's performance on the field.
- Athletes exposed to positive facial expressions, such as smiling fans, tend to exhibit increased determination and resilience, working at maximum effort for longer durations (up to 12%).
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Famous Fan Celebrations and Their Psychological Impacts: a. The Thunder Clap:
- Originating from Scottish football club Motherwell, this celebration gained fame during Euro 2016 by Icelandic fans.
- Participating in such collective tasks fosters a sense of belonging and collective identity, leading to more positive social interactions.
b. The Poznan:
- Originating from Lech Poznan fans in the 1960s, it involves supporters standing with their backs to the pitch, symbolizing disappointment with team management while supporting the team itself.
- Engaging in unique celebrations fosters a sense of pride and collective identity among fans, contributing to social integration and personal enjoyment within a sporting group.
c. You'll Never Walk Alone:
- Liverpool FC adopted this song, symbolizing unity, hope, and resilience, displaying their team scarf before kick-off.
- Wearing team colors symbolizes identification, socialization, and personal pride, while singing together creates feelings of connection and alertness among fans.
The psychological insights gleaned from these celebrations underline the significance of fan involvement and support in shaping athletes' performances and fostering a sense of belonging within the sporting community.
