Anger can be channeled in a manner conducive to strong athletic performance in most competitive sports. However, it can also be counterproductive, leading to in-game penalties, ejections, and post-game fines and suspensions. And when anger leads to physical altercations beyond fair-play, player injuries on either side of the HOME vs AWAY card may ensue.
While aggressive physical contact is far more prevalent in football and hockey, basketball appears to be more widely associated with outbursts of anger. For instance, in some of the most popular articles on the most angry people in U.S. sports, NBA players (and coaches) take up a disproportionate amount of the real estate. In fact, the demand for basketball anger management services is ten to one-hundred times higher than it is for America’s more rough-and-tumble sports:
Source: Google Keyword Research
This demand may be higher due to the greater risk of punitive measures given that aggressive physical contact is not permitted in basketball (compared to football or hockey), but that’s ultimately beside the point. If players cannot better manage feelings of indignation and rage, careers and championships remain at stake. Recent research has found that in-game anger is a significant predictor of increased unsuccessful game involvement (UGI) for basketball players. Sponsorships and public relations are also susceptible, especially in emerging leagues like the WNBA where quarrels involving the likes of Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and Brittney Griner headline nightly sportscasts.
But before anger management programs can be initiated at an individual, team, or league/organization level it helps for stakeholders to better understand traits, causations, and comorbidities. This clears the way for compassion and understanding, particularly for younger adult players who have not yet been empowered with the tools and coping mechanisms to approach practices, games, and post-event media interactions with greater composure. Below is an overview of anger issues among competitive basketball players and a call to action regarding sustainable prevention.
Overview of Anger Issues Among Competitive Basketball Players and How to Better Manage Feelings and Emotions Around Game Time
Are Elite Players More Vulnerable to Anger Issues?
A wide body of research has shown that elite athletes exhibit higher levels of anger and aggression than non-athletes. While research is limited on any differences between basketball players and those in other competitive sports, this innate vulnerability is enough to encourage greater introspection.
What may trigger unhealthy anger in a basketball player? While known to stir negative feelings in any player in an intense situation, the following may precipitate more extreme outbursts among particularly vulnerable individuals:
- Pressure to perform in high-stakes situations.
- Prodding and ridicule from opposition.
- Illegal contact from opposition.
- Prodding and ridicule from opposing fans.
- Perceptions of unfair calls from referees.
- Being benched by one’s own coach.
- Perceptions of poor performance of teammates (forcing one to carry more weight).
- Pregame questions from the media.
- Postgame questions from the media.
- Pre- and postgame trolling from people on social media.
- Witnessing teammates and team leaders (including coaches) exhibit anger in response to any of the above, resulting in mirrored behavior.
In identifying potential triggers to anger, basketball players can better prepare themselves to respond in a healthier and more productive (to performance) manner.
Mental Health Issues That Cooccur with Anger
Anger is rarely a singular personalty dimension of concern among basketball players. There are a number of mental and behavioral health issues that high-level athletes score higher in when compared to the general population. These comorbid (with anger) issues include the following:
- Anxiety
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Burnout
- Chronic stress
- Depression
- Problem gambling
- Problematic sexual behavior
- Unhealthy gaming
View more on common athlete mental / behavioral health struggles which are all associated with anger and irritability.
Of additional note, is that when a basketball player struggles with cooccurring issues, feelings of frustration may be elevated. This may in-turn inflate feelings of anger and aggression and subsequently cause more dramatic outbursts. All of this makes mental and behavioral health screening an extremely important component to player wellness services. If comorbid concerns are identified, responses to anger issues can be approached in a more compassionate manner.
A New Threat to Anger Management in Basketball
There is a history of angry and aggressive interactions between basketball players vs fans. This is due in part to the close proximity they share with one another when compared to American football, hockey, baseball, soccer, and golf (etc.) where there is a barrier between the two. In basketball, a fan with great seats may share the parquet with a player and become embroiled in a heated exchange quite easily. Whether or not the fault lies with the fan is a moot point because it’s always a bad look on the player, team, and league when adherence to a code of conduct is expected. This in itself begs for preventative strategies regarding anger. However, the call is now louder than ever as a consequence of legalized sports betting. Player harassment by disgruntled sports bettors is an unfortunate byproduct of regulated sports betting. During high profile tournaments such as NCAA March Madness, basketball players have been receiving verbal and online abuse and threats from spectators. Without intervention, players will be triggered and may lash out unless they are provided with healthier coping strategies. Please keep reading.
Professional Intervention Required
Considering what we’ve laid out above regarding comorbidities, an anger management program alone will not not be adequate. Professional intervention from a mental and behavioral health provider that specializes in athlete support is needed to provide a comprehensive assessment to identity cooccurring concerns and prescribe an individualized treatment strategy. Only then may a player return to the court, locker room, and press conference with the requisite tools and coping mechanisms needed to identify and respond to triggers in a healthy and sustainable manner.
As a player, you don’t have to face anger issues on your own. Kindbridge specializes in helping student, amateur, and professional athletes manage negative feelings and emotions. Reach out to a care coordinator right now to schedule a FREE assessment and to book your first session.
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Kindbridge also works with athletic leagues and organizations. If your search for assistance in how to deal with anger and other mental health concerns requires intervention on a larger scale, you can learn more here or connect to our management team by clicking/tapping the image below.
