Aggression: Strategies to control aggression.

The idea

Aggression in sport is behaviour intended to harm another person physically or psychologically, and it differs from assertive behaviour, which is forceful but within the rules and without intent to harm. Strategies to control aggression work by changing the performer's thinking, the environment or the consequences of actions. Cognitive approaches include self-talk, imagery and rational thinking to reduce hostile appraisals. Arousal-control techniques such as breathing routines and progressive muscular relaxation lower the emotional intensity that can trigger aggression. Coaches can also use positive reinforcement for assertive play, clear rules and sanctions, substitution or a timeout to remove a player from a provocative situation, and role modelling of calm conduct. The choice depends on whether the aggression is hostile or instrumental and on the individual's triggers.

What earns the marks

• Aggression is defined as behaviour intended to cause physical or psychological harm, whereas assertion is forceful, rule-governed behaviour with no intent to harm.
• Cognitive strategies such as self-talk, imagery and reappraisal reduce hostile interpretations of an opponent's actions.
• Arousal-control strategies such as controlled breathing, progressive muscular relaxation and pre-performance routines lower the emotional intensity that can trigger aggression.
• Behavioural and environmental strategies include positive reinforcement of assertive play, clear rules and sanctions, substitution or timeout, and coach role modelling of calm conduct.
• The most appropriate strategy depends on whether the aggression is hostile or instrumental and on the individual performer's triggers and level of arousal.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Confusing aggression with assertion.

  Put it right: Aggression involves intent to harm, while assertion is forceful, within the rules and without intent to harm.

• Assuming that all aggression is hostile.

  Put it right: Instrumental aggression is used to achieve a goal such as winning the ball and may still harm an opponent.

• Believing that aggression can be removed only by punishment.

  Put it right: Cognitive and arousal-control strategies address the causes, not just the consequences.

• Thinking that one strategy suits every performer.

  Put it right: The trigger may be cognitive, emotional or environmental, so the intervention must match the cause.

Exam tips

• Define aggression and assertion precisely before applying a control strategy, because the distinction is often the discriminator in multiple-choice questions.
• Link each strategy to the mechanism it changes, such as cognition, arousal or consequences, rather than listing strategies without explanation.
• Use a sporting example to test each option, asking whether the behaviour is intended to harm and whether it is within the rules.