Common Stressors and Subsequent Coping Strategies Used During High Pressure Situations in Elite Cricket: The Batting Powerplay

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stressors experienced by elite cricketers during the batting powerplay and the subsequent coping strategies used. The study was conducted using a qualitative investigation method. Based on strict selection criteria three cricketers were chosen to participate in the study. A semi-structured interview was conducted, using questions that had been created based upon input from three UKCC 3 cricket coaches. The use of three categories within the interview guide (personal factors, opposition factors and experience) not only allowed participants to go into thorough detail, but clearly differentiated between the sources of each stressor highlighted and allowed for clarity in differentiation within the results (personal game related stressors, opposition related stressors, experience related stressors). The findings of this study are presented within these highlighted categories, and show common stressors and coping strategies that occur within the batting powerplay period. There is a general agreement on a large number of stressors experienced by the participants, as is the case with a considerable number of coping strategies. One clear finding is the use of multiple coping strategies to counteract a single stressor, along with the amount of coping strategies that are common to a specific stressor