Presentation for uni on the possibility and efficacy of training for clutch situations in basketball.

1. Can you train to be clutch?
By Mark McKenzie

2. The Fantasy

3. What is „clutch‟?
 Performing in pressure situations.
 Clutch mechanism in a car.
 NBA – last 5 minutes, +/- 5 points.
 Opposite of „choking‟.
 Innate skill?

4. “„Choking under pressure‟ is a metaphorical expression
used to describe the occurrence of inferior
performance despite individual striving and situational
demands for superior performance.”
BAUMEISTER (1984)

5. So what happens to athletes in
clutch scenarios?
 Physiological
changes.
 Effects of fatigue.
 Effects of
environmental
factors.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5251/5477643511_c6ea876c37.jpg

6. Physiological Changes
 Base fitness level.
 Replicate intensity
of scenarios.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larryyangm//7350128082/sizes/m/in/photostrea

7. Fatigue
 Variety of parameters.
 Passing performance decreased in high fatigue
conditions. Skilled players able to cope better
whilst fatigued (Lyons, et al. 2006)
 When fatigued, athlete decision making time
improved, but accuracy decreased (Thomson, et
al. 2009)
 Decrease in performance not just in basketball.
 Tackling technique in Rugby League (Gabbett.
2008)
 Skill proficiency in Water Polo decreased (Royal,
et al. 2006)

8. Environmental Factors
 Attention cues.
 Sound cues.
 Visual cues.
 Distractions in a
closed skill.

9. DEHYDRATION
Success in skill sports such as basketball requires
optimal concentration and attentional skills to facilitate
adaptation to a dynamic performance environment.
When basketball players are in their optimal
performance state, they are focusing their attention
solely on the cues relevant to the task being
performed. (Baker, at al. 2007)

10. Arousal
Optimum
performance
Performance
Arousal

11. Training Methods?
 Very little research.
 “Game-pace.”
 Replicate intensity, conditions &
environment.
 Self-regulation techniques.
 Manage playing time & time-out usage.
 Encourage adequate hydration.
 Confidence; positive coaching style.

12. Efficacy of clutch training,
Is it really worth it?

13. Bibliography
Baker, L. B., Conroy, D. E. & Kenney, W. L., 2007. Dehydration Impairs Vigilance-Related Attention in Male Basketball Players. Medicine &
Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(6), pp. 976-983.
Baumeister, R. F., 1984. Choking Under Pressure: Self-Consciousness and Paradoxical Effects of Incentives on Skillful Performance. Journal
of Personality and Social Psychology, 46(3), pp. 610-620.
Dyck, C., 2010. Flickr. [Online]
Available at: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5251/5477643511_c6ea876c37.jpg
[Accessed 11 April 2013].
Gabbett, T. J., 2008. Influence of Fatigue on Tackling Technique in Rugby League Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ,
22(2), pp. 625-632.
Lyons, M., Al-Nakeeb, Y. & Nevill, A., 2006. The Impact of Moderate and High Intensity Total Body Fatigue on Passing Accuracy in Expert and
Novoce Basketball Players. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, Volume 5, pp. 215-227.
Petkac, L., 2012. Bleacher Report: North Carolina Basketball: 10 College Basketball People Tar Heels Fans Hate Most; Speedo Guy. [Online]
Available at: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1330012-north-carolina-basketball-10-college-basketball-people-tar-heels-fans-hate-
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[Accessed 11 April 2013].
Royal, K. A. et al., 2006. The effects of fatigue on decision making and shooting skill performance in polo players. Journal of Sports Sciences,
24(8), pp. 807-815.
Schmidt, R. A. & Wrisberg, C. A., 2008. Motor Learning and Performance. 4th ed. Champaign, IL, USA: Human Kinetics.
The Birmingham News, 2012. Dead Spin: This Alabama Fan Holds A Giant, Bug-Eyed Cutout Of His Face At Games, And We're Scared.
[Online]
Available at: http://deadspin.com/5885404/this-alabama-fan-holds-a-giant-bug+eyed-cutout-of-his-face-at-games-and-it-scares-us
[Accessed 11 April 2013].
Thomson, K., Watt, A. & Liukkonen, J., 2009. Differences in ball sports athletes speed discrimination skills before and after exercise induced
fatigue. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, Volume 8, pp. 259-264.
Yang, L., 2012. Flickr. [Online]
Available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/larryyang/7350128082/in/photostream
[Accessed 11 April 2013].
Yerkes, R. M. & Dodson, J. D., 1908. The Relation of Strength of Stimulus to Rapidity of Habit-Formation. Journal of Comparative Neurology
and Psychology, Volume 18, pp. 459-482.