Slump (sports)

In the realm of sports, a slump is an extended period of poor performance exhibited by a player or team, often characterized by a lack of production compared to their usual standards.[1] Slumps exist in various sports and at all different levels of competition. They are typically characterized by a loss streak, or reduced consistency, though the term is often misused when referring to the natural decline in a player's production at the end of their career.[2] The causes of slumps can vary greatly, though they are generally brought on by physical factors like fatigue and injury, or psychological factors like burnout, pressure, and loss of confidence.[3] Overcoming a slump can often require a combination of technical and psychological adjustments as well as an increase in the athlete's mental fortitude.[1] While slumps can frustrate players and fans, especially if they last more than a few games, they are a natural aspect of any athlete's career.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Goldberg, Alan S. (1998). Sports slump busting. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN 978-0-88011-653-4.
  2. ^ John Kuenster (1 January 2003). At Home and Away: 33 Years of Baseball Essays. McFarland. pp. 116–. ISBN 978-0-7864-1559-5.
  3. ^ Stead, Joe; Poolton, Jamie; Alder, David (2022-07-01). "Performance slumps in sport: A systematic review". Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 61: 102136. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102136. ISSN 1469-0292.