Any sports psychologists on the forum??

mariaalice wrote: »

After the session, Ayrton will describe the pole-position lap as a sub-conscious experience — that he was “driving the car by a kind of instinct, only in a different dimension…well beyond my conscious understanding.”

Ayrton Senna.

https://sfcriga.com/ayrton-senna-and-his-legendary-monaco-88-qualifying-lap

I know someone who works as an engineer and he has an experience where he felt for a few seconds he has merged with the calculations he was doing.

I would say it's not an uncommon experience for people who have complete mastery over what they are doing probably from years of experience.

Thing is, plenty dudes/gals have years and years experience with their trade, but never get to that level of mastery.

Then some cat strolls in and seems to have attained that disgusting/sickening level of proficiency in a relatively nominal amount of time.

Other wordly, dissociated feeling and flow states - there's something there I would think.

.....

Something deeply hidden,

....

In addition it's occurred to me, there was actually a film, called just that;

"Hustle" and "Flow",



A flow - intrinsically linked with a hustle.

Flow states are technically, optimization.

The opposite of flow-states are I believe, "block states", or what may be referred to as stagnation or being "stuck"....?

In keeping with sports psychology, I believe additionally flow-states hold potentially the greatest visual appeal.

Movements and fluidity that looks simply like it's "flowing".

Boxing is always a good example too, though almost certainly it has relevance to every sport (and every endeavour).

Tyson - controversial for more than one reason but, compared to the slow-lumbering heavyweight style, he had a beautiful, sharp flow, speed, agility, movement - all the characteristics of smooth flow,



Mayweather additionally, probably had the smoothest style of more recent boxers.

And that's what really seems to spark fan/viewer interest.

Flow.

Effectiveness, questionably.

I mean, Holyfield/Lewis were more effective than Tyson - but no one really cared cause they didn't have the flow;

And that flow captures the imagination, what generates interest.


More contemporary terms again, no one, comes even close to having the flow of Conor McGregor (love him or hate him), in the UFC.




They both come from the lower societal tiers, Tyson having "ran with gangs", aforementioned allusion of gang culture and "flow", perhaps that mentality is what lends itself to their style and success.

A "hustle", understanding speed, movement - how to lure/bait your opponent in, capitalize = flow?

"Engaged in petty theft with a propensity for violence" - flim-flam artistry and violence (honestly, I say this with no agenda - but it may explain with traveler culture has what appears to be a naturally endowed affinity for boxing also) similar to his flow style, knew how to move, lure opponents, correct position, culminate with power.

It's the mindset - and that's psychology, right?

Hustling.

And flowing.

Ever meet a real stubborn person?

"Impossible".

How to make the impossible possible?

Hustling them.
Thing is, in its conventional form it has this innate association with being trashy.

You know when you're young, adolescents etc, that "bad boy" thing tends to be glamorized?

I think it's because at that age, well, everyone suddenly becomes horny and wants to get laid for one, also social status etc.
And that idea of being sauve, cool, sleek - the flow basically - it's like an intuitive means to an end.

Again gangster rap culture - probably why it's so popular amongst that youth demographic.

.....

Point being, "hustle" and being trashy have been historically linked.

Traveller culture, at least in my experience of it in Ireland - definitely have the "hustle" element, almost the basis of their culture.
Strong boxing affinity as above.
But as above - without being prejudiced towards a culture, they also embody a degree of trashiness, as a way of life also.


I outline this to illustrate my exact point.

The historical flow state - has been associated with being "gangster", somewhat degenerative on occasion - i.e. trashy.

It gets glamorized in youth culture, then mostly abandoned in adulthood in favour of more progressive/productive living.

....

But what if.... the correct flow state just hasn't been understood?

Perhaps there's an element of depravity to it, but an element of glamour also - when done correctly (which the vast majority of folk, don't understand).

T.B.C.

I think it raises the larger issue of in actual fact, societal divisions in some capacity.

Divisions in general perhaps.

Is there something to be said for that trashy try-hard tough-guy/bad-girl subculture?

Vs the progressive forward thinker who contributes more meaningfully to society?

Let's not forget that McGregor basically drew the dole and mooched off his parents and girlfriend for most of his life, now he's already in the history books as one of the most revered and successful athletes of all time.

He even described how he had to learn how to be coy growing up, dodging bullies and thieves in Crumlin on his way to school etc, concealing a metal bar in his school bag so he could defend himself etc.

Developing an indirect state of mind, developing "game".


The overall take away I believe is that, there's a higher level of functionality, efficiency and productivity to be had with "Flow States" (aka "hustle/game").

But the dynamic as a whole is not well enough understood such to incorporate the positivity of a "hustle", whilst not descending into degeneracy.

i.e. upper class and lower class combined - the (arguably) amiable approachable nature of "lower class", with the quality of life and environment of "upper class".


Relative to sports - is sports style and approach a function of ones character?

It would appear they're certainly related, perhaps style is developed on the basis of character, or vice-versa.

**
Relative to specific psychology, the emotional process which allows someone like McGregor to perform so effortlessly under such incredible pressure - in every sense - fight performances, press conferences etc.



"....think you can play big money straight pool or poker for 40 hours on nothing but talent...?"

Smoothness of character (coupled with ability to ultimately perform and deliver), with
smoothness of style (movement, slickness, with ultimate power to land the KO shot).

What dictates that emotional process?

Certainly wasn't born like that.

And 100x more where he came, underwent the same "nurturing" environment, didn't become what he became.

This wasn't actually the first time this expression was used - though it seemed to largely popularize it.

1986 - "The Color of Money",



0:20

Are a character,

Have character.

Basically different ends of the same spectrum.

From "The Hustler" to "The Color Of Money", it breaks it down.

Are a character = "fast and lose", attractive, charm, easy going etc

Have character = "hold tight and push hard", undertake difficult situations, resolve etc.


Relative to flow states, one is a precursor to the other.

Have character = luring the opponent in

Are a character = smash them - basically.

One flows into the other - flow state.


Mayweather - smoothest, highest grossing boxer of all time,



Shoulder roll, taking shots, luring his opponent - subsequently, BLAM.



Here he is on the ropes.
On the ropes, hmm?

The winning boxer isn't meant to be on the ropes.

Lure his opponent, shoulder roll..... BAM!!


Land the best shot, the effective shot = lure in, perfect position, then unload.
And it's like a circuit, it flows.

**
As far as sports psychology goes, it's a mindset.

Talent.

And character.

As our clip outlines - success requires both.

....

And this is where for me, the "game is in the clutch".

"Life is a game", and character is how we play it.

So I mean there's obviously relevance between sports psychology and relationship/neural psychology.

Aw hell, I'm gonna end up carrying on this conversation with myself;

lol - that's cool.

Speech.
Speech patterns.

Flow states.

Rapping.
Rappers always yammering about their "flow" as outlined.

Fluid neural function (at least in some capacity) is reflected in speech.

Not a fact, more an observation.

Stammering/stuttering conditions etc, I believe can be treated with neural drugs like SSRI's.

Flow.

Being cool, hip, sauve etc.
That's a "rappers" whole deal, AmIRite?

Let me just punctate matters at this point,



Tupac used to yammer constantly about "Changes" and living at a higher level.
That's actually what that track is about, he's graduated to a higher level of thinking, supposedly.

I don't support gangster culture the least bit - frankly moronic - but they continuously touch on the idea of "flow", and I mean let's be honest, he wasn't a famous rapper for nothing;

He's verbal "flow" made him rich and famous.

Point being,

Speech ∝ neural function ∝ flow

Jebus.

I went full,



...on them last few posts.

......

Flow states.

I came across this funny definition that resonates as being eerily similar to how flow states behave:



Think of what Mayweather does - it's not "misdirection" it's more, "optimized directionalism of dynamics":



He's like the magic man of boxing.

The exact definition of "magic" being,



Art of influencing or predicting events.

Directionalism.

.....

Traveler culture would certainly have a penchant for some "magic", perhaps explains their cultural affinity for boxing?