The Crowd

Sport has always had the knack of drawing people to watch it. Some sports more so than others, but often a crowd (or smattering of people if it's a small provincial game of cricket or a Sunday game of Netball) will go and attend a sporting fixture. This all adds to the atmosphere, and creates an ' added importance' to the game. But does it really? Do players raise their games when people are watching? Do crowds not distract players, or create added pressure that hinders them from getting 'into the zone'? These are questions that I would just love to be able to answer, but one feels that perhaps it is different for different individuals and teams and thus not that answerable.

Just last week I worked with a cricket side, who had to play a game of huge significance, for their school, in front of a crowd, for the first time. From usually playing in front of 20 to 30 enthsiastic parents, they now had to play in front of 1000 enthusiatic school mates as well. Despite them being clear favourites on paper and having beaten the same opponents easily just a week previously, they were feeling pressure and nerves. Why? Because a big crowd would be there to see them fail should they do so!! Professional sportsmen these days, are entertainers, in fact they probably have become blase about crowds and instead should there be a very small turn out, they may battle to raise their game to the desired level. But one feels that at amateur level the players have not yet gotten used to these crowds, and thus are affected differently. This very evening, I will be venturing off to watch two amateur rugby sides take part in a crunch match in front of 15 000 people. What impact is this likely to have on the match itself, and on the players as individuals?

I have often believed at amateur level, that crowds can be a burden, and a distraction that is too hard to handle. Yes, there is no doubt that a crowd can serve as a motivator, but I believe that often sides are motivated by just playing for each other and by having fun. The presence of the crowd only serves to tip the balance towards the players becoming over-hyped. The fear of failure is one of the biggest fears faced by all sportsmen, and even if thousands/millions or billions of people are watching on television, there is something about having a live crowd in that can enhance that fear even more.

I look forward to watching this intervarsity clash this evening, and seeing which side is able to harness the positives of the big occasion by being motivated and focused, but can shut out the exciteable crowd well enough to stay focused on the task at hand. I have always maintained that the best sides are those that can play to the same level in front of 1 or 1000 people, as they are truly motivated by bettering their own standards, and playing just for each other, rather than just trying to entertain crowds. I welcome feedback from those who have witnessed crowd influence first hand.

Cheers
T