chapter 3 competitive drive: embracing positive rivalries by cal botterill

Chapter 3

Competitive Drive: Embracing Positive Rivalries

By Cal Botterill

Competition

The basis of natural selection and evolution.

Competition is the drive to excel.

But competition can also make us• self-centered,• judgmental,• envious, and• negative about rivals.

Total Fitness Model

From Botterill and Wilson, 2002.

Irrational Beliefs in Sport

My self-worth is on the line in the next few moments.

I must perform for others.

I must be perfect. The world must

always be fair.

Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation gives a competitive edge due to

• task-relevant focus,

• setting of process goals, and

• self-acceptance (not worrying about self-esteem).

Extrinsic Motivation

Extrinsically motivated athletes are more likely to be• distracted and• affected by competitive

conditions and outcomes.

Emphasizing extrinsic rewards can undermine or destroy intrinsic motivation.

Setting the Mental Stage for Competition

The essence of the competitive challenge in life is learning ways to “keep one’s desires greater than one’s fears” (Doug Newburg).

Being the “favorite” can lead to “playing not to lose” rather than “playing to win.”

Maintaining an Effective Perspective in Sport

Canadian research by Matt Brown et al. (2001)

Best performers:• Diverse identity and strong

self-acceptance

• Strong, meaningful relationships with persons who were unconditionally supportive

• Strong personal values and attitudes

Competition Skills That Enhance Performance

Competition and cooperation involve complementary skills and values; they are not polar opposites.

Even the argument that competition automatically leads to excellence is lost if lack of cooperation results in no strong opponent to compete against.

Peak Performance

Charles Garfield studied the common traits of top performers in various fields and found they shared these traits:• A sense of mission

• Work ethic

• Wise use of resources

• Superior preparation

• A love of challenge and change

• A desire to work as a team

“The great thing about sport is that it enables us to care passionately about something that doesn’t really matter.”

--Scott Taylor,

Winnipeg Free Press

Teaching Effective Competition Skills

The key to effective competition is perspective. Strategies to develop perspective include

• emotional management—the acceptance and processing of feelings, and

• emotional preparation—the anticipation of possible feelings in competition and rehearsal of effective responses.

(continued)

Teaching Effective Competition Skills (cont)

Team-building can be an effective strategy for overcoming individual differences.

“Pseudo” teams: the “disease of me”

“Real” teams• embrace competition and positive rivalries, and• are committed to open, genuine, caring

communication.