# Managing Emotional Outbursts in Professional Sports Expert strategies for athletes to regulate intense emotions during high-pressure competitions. - **Source:** [NOS Sport](https://nos.nl/sport) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [health](https://brifing.si/c/health) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e4d04bb5-1a06-4845-9e51-8c37f0d5a9bf ## Physical Signs of Tension Sports psychologist Tim Koning emphasizes that athletes must recognize physical indicators of rising tension before an outburst occurs. A tongue pressed against the roof of the mouth or clenched jaws are common physiological signals. Monitoring these subtle bodily cues allows athletes to intervene early, preventing the emotional bucket from overflowing during games. ## The Role of Passion Sport is inherently emotional, which is a primary driver for both performance and potential volatility. Athletes like Tallon Griekspoor acknowledge that intense passion can lead to destructive behaviors, such as breaking rackets. While not ideal, some athletes view these actions as necessary outlets to reset their focus and continue the match effectively. ## Grounding Through Physicality To regulate frustration, Koning suggests specific physical grounding techniques that athletes can employ during breaks. Squeezing a tennis ball, biting into a towel, or stomping on the ground provides immediate sensory input. These actions help discharge built-up energy, allowing the athlete to regain composure and maintain focus on the remaining game points. ## Consequences of Provocation Emotional outbursts can have severe consequences for team dynamics and match outcomes. Hockey player Duco Telgenkamp noted that being provoked by opponents led to a ten-minute penalty, ultimately hurting his team's chances. Such incidents highlight the necessity of developing professional emotional management skills to avoid falling into traps set by rival players. ## Power of Co-regulation Teammates play a crucial role in managing an individual's emotional state through a process called co-regulation. By identifying a peer's specific triggers, such as perceived injustice, teammates can offer support like a reassuring hand on the shoulder. However, this intervention is only effective if the athlete is not yet fully enraged. ## Four Accessible Regulation Methods Koning outlines four practical methods for emotional release: using the voice through singing, applying self-holding gestures for skin boundaries, practicing self-compassion by reflecting on personal history, and naming the emotion. The principle 'if you can name it, you can tame it' serves as a fundamental tool for athletes to gain internal control. ## Training Emotional Skills Emotional regulation is a skill that can be trained, much like physical fitness. Athletes who commit to professional guidance, such as FC Groningen goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen, can learn to channel their passion constructively. This development is not only beneficial for their athletic career but also provides long-term personal growth for their future lives. ## Long-term Professional Impact The ability to manage intense emotions under pressure is a vital competency for any high-level athlete. By treating anger as an invitation for self-improvement rather than a character flaw, professionals can transform their performance. Mastering these skills ensures that passion remains a competitive advantage rather than a liability during critical match moments. ## Sources covering this story - https://nos.nl/l/2639046 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._