Characteristics of Polar Opposites: An Exploratory Investigation of Choking-Resistant and Choking-Susceptible Athletes

Abstract

The current research provides an assessment of performance under pressure by deliberately investigating responses of athletes who are polar opposite. Forty-six female netball players were screened to sample choking-resistant and choking-susceptible athletes. The eight selected participants then completed 180 netball shots in a single-case A₁-B-A₂ design (A phases = low-pressure and B phase = high-pressure), with follow-up interviews. Under pressure, choking-resistant participants improved their performance by using task-focus and avoidance-cognitive coping, whereas choking-susceptible participants suffered from performance decrements often applying emotion-focused and approach-cognitive coping. Researchers should further explore the unique characteristics of choking-resistant athletes.

Acknowledgments

Appreciation is extended to Professor Tony Morris for his editorial assistance in earlier versions of this manuscript.

Notes

For those unfamiliar readers, netball is similar to basketball because it is played on a hard court with baskets (scoring rings) at both ends, but in netball, the scoring rings do not have backboards.