The influences of pressure and difficulty upon anxiety and its perceived effect on a place kick

Abstract

The aim of the study is to explore the effects of both pressure and difficulty on the directional anxiety experienced by a rugby union player performing a place kick. Using interviews, this qualitative study required 6 rugby union place kickers to recall and describe their perceived performance in relation to pressure and anxiety in scenarios that involved place kicking during differing levels of pressure and difficulty. Difficulty levels were identified into two categories, easy and difficult). Interview transcripts were analysed and causal relationships were mapped for each scenario demonstrating relationships of difficulty and pressure and the direction of anxiety and perceived performance. Each scenario gave out differing results with the most conclusive evidence being for the difficult kick with pressure scenario being interpreted as wholly facilitative by participants. Pressure and difficulty have profound effects upon the interpretation of anxiety in differing manners; the findings are discussed in the paper.