Psychology of Sport

From the games of youth to the big leagues

Dr. Richard D. Ginsburg is co-Director of the Sport Psychology Program and PACES Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital. See full bio

July 30, 2009

Should Little League Baseball Be Nationally Televised?

I have a hard time watching 11 and 12 year-old boys playing baseball on national television. In fact, I just change the channel. Don't get me wrong. I love the kids, but are they ready for that kind of exposure? Aren't we exploiting the trials and tribulations of children for adult entertainment? Read More

January 21, 2009

Athletic Outliers

Malcom Gladwell's Outliers highlights the role that age cut-offs can play in the advancement of elite hockey players. Youth sport athletes born between January and March are at a competitive advantage from an early age because they are the oldest players in their cohort. They experience this advantage each year as they progress through various hockey programs and approach the elite level. Read More

December 16, 2008

Economic Correction Factor in Youth Sports

While Steven Kotler's recent blog post "High Cost of Playing of Playing Ball" raises questions about the trickle-down effect the economy will have on professional sports, will youth sports also experience a correction factor? Read More

June 24, 2008

Tiger Wins at a Cost

I am still marveling at Tiger Wood's incredible victory at the US. Open. His physical and mental toughness is practically unparalleled in professional sports. Yet, I wonder whether his victory was worth the cost. Read More

April 28, 2008

When Winning Is Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

Last Sunday, I took my three-year-old son to a Red Sox game. Given his fascination with Red Sox hats and T-shirts as well as baseball players in general, I was certain this was going to be a big occasion for him. Read More

April 17, 2008

Bad Sports or Not Enough Sports: What’s the real problem?

Did anyone read Robert Lypsyte's article, "'Jock Culture' permeates life'" in USA Today last Thursday? His central point is: "A ‘winning is everything' notion starts in the littlest of leagues. Lessons of hard work and fair play give way to ‘gain the edge at any cost.' But what happens when this type of thinking is adapted by CEOs, police officers, or politicians?" (USA Today, Thursday April 10th, 2008, pg 11A). Is the desire for immediate gratification permeating all aspects of our culture? Are the some of the negative lessons of sports stronger than the values of families and schools? Read More

April 6, 2008

Psychology of Sport - Will playing sports get our kids into college?

What if playing sports had absolutely no influence on college acceptance? What if playing for THE elite travel team meant only that our children were playing more games at a higher level with no free time for weekend relaxation? Would playing youth sports hold the same importance it does in present day culture? Read More

April 2, 2008

Psychology of Sport - From the games of youth to the big leagues

Playing youth sports has drastically changed in the last twenty years. When I was young, we played pickup games in my neighborhood. Basketball, wiffleball, and touch football - without the involvement and supervision of adults - were our games until dark. Read More

Sport and Competition Basics

From schoolyard chants to Super Bowl championships, playful competition finds its way into nearly all aspects of culture. Fighting to win draws on cooperation, concentration, coordination, and creativity--things worth striving for in their own right. That's why sports are more than just fun and games.

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