“INDIAN SIGN” IN SPORT

Shannon News, 7 May 1926, Page 2

“INDIAN SIGN” IN SPORT

There is sound if unconscious psychology behind the methods of the savage warriors who seek before joining battle, to strike i'car into their enemies by means of war dances, whoops, yells, and similar demonstrations. If the enemy worries himself into a state of nervous apprehension SO much less is his chance or Wi J l n sport, as in war, it is a great help to be-able to put the “Indian sign on the other side. Mr. Imdford Docker, the Warwickshire president is quite right in protesting against tinbelittling Of their-own men by lish cricket .followers, and the tost ering of a feeling that the Australians are invincible. . 1f 9l He quotes the matches in when he watched the pathetic S P ‘ acle of “English batsmen making no attempt ■to hit Armstrong s - half-volleys.'’ The batsmen, no doubt had the wind up; it was a case o nerves. : When Bosanqiiet, the pioneer of the

googly, was asked how be attained remarkable results during his visit to Australia, he replied that it was 60 per cent, bluff. The batsmen were half hypnotised by something outside their experience, and played themselves out. This psychology applies to other games besides cricket. For the ken-glen-Wills tennis match the supporters of Suzanne tried to create an “atmosphere’ ’by exploiting the idea that Suzanne was invincible. Possibly it had some effect. It is in the psychology of the game that temperament plays so great a part. Some players respond to suggestion and atmosphere; others are not affected in the same way. This it a matter that selectors who know their job are bound to take into account in making their choice. It is often overlooked by critics of the selectors.