Aggression, assertion and types of aggression

Overview

Aggression, hostile and instrumental aggression, assertive behaviour and how it differs, the line in different sports, examples from rugby union and football, and whether aggression can help performance.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is aggression in sport?

   Model answer

   Aggression is behaviour intended to harm another person, outside the rules. Aggression can be physical or verbal.

2. 2

   What is hostile aggression?

   Model answer

   Hostile aggression is aggression whose main aim is to harm an opponent. Hostile aggression is usually driven by anger.

3. 3

   What is instrumental aggression?

   Model answer

   Instrumental aggression is harm used as a means to achieve a goal, such as winning. The aggressor is not necessarily angry.

4. 4

   Give an example of instrumental aggression.

   Model answer

   A defender makes a deliberately hard tackle to intimidate a striker. The aim is to gain an advantage, not simply to hurt.

5. 5

   What is assertive behaviour?

   Model answer

   Assertive behaviour is forceful play within the rules, with no intent to harm. A hard but fair tackle is assertive.

6. 6

   What is the difference between aggression and assertion?

   Model answer

   Aggression intends harm and breaks the rules. Assertion is forceful, legal and aims to win the ball rather than hurt.

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