Tip of the Month - June 2022
The Technology Addiction in Sports
I had just recently discussed the use of tablets in team sports, as TV seems to be constantly zooming in on such behaviour. The availability of technology can be a valuable tool but it sure can be addictive! New York Ranger Forward Chris Kreider spurred a viral moment during the second period of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Swedish import Mika Zibanejad came off the ice to sit next to his alternate Captain Kreider (they play on the same line), and immediately grabbed the team’s tablet to review his actions. However, Kreider doesn't have time for negative energy on the New York Rangers bench, so he ripped the tablet out of Mika’s hands, and tossed it behind him during the second period of Game 6.
“There you go! AND Away We Throw” …the darn tablet!
Message: Damn it… focus on the game and what’s going on the ice. “He was looking at the breakaway, and I heard him start second-guessing his move, and I didn’t really like that. He beat him clean … hit the post. Don't need to second guess”, Kreider said after the game.
Here is my take on smart devices in sports: As tools, they are an excellent way to review skills, performance and/or action but the timing of the review is crucial. Given the nature of team sports, a tablet is helpful when coaches need to review questionable decisions by Referees to initiate a review of the game. The same might apply in individual sports as judges or referees render the score or any disqualification. However, players or athletes whatever the sport have to stay focused and remain present - not look at past performance or actions…these cannot be changed or recalled… they are done, over with! It only creates negative and doubting reactions such as “what if I had only done…”
Psychology of Sport Performance tells us that all actions are in the present … not in the past or in the future! Kreider had it right! So, use the gadget after all is over as a tool for the learning and evaluating process!
Reference:
Kulesa, A. (2022). Kreider throws tablet out of Zibanejad's hands after missed breakaway. Rangers forward tries to watch missed shot, teammate will not allow it. NHL Headline News. NHL.com Staff Writer. Retrieved, June 25, 2022, from https://www.nhl.com/news/ chris-kreider-throws-tablet-out-of-mika-zibanejads-hands/c-334066536