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Sports luck is a 'piglet' and cannot be relied upon; it's not training, but an anomaly
🇭🇷 Croatia /Sports

Sports luck is a 'piglet' and cannot be relied upon; it's not training, but an anomaly

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Sports psychologist Amir Zulić argues that luck is an uncontrollable external factor in sports, not something that can be trained.
  • He suggests focusing on controllable aspects like training and performance rather than external variables like referees or weather.
  • Zulić uses the analogy of a table tennis bounce ('prasica') to illustrate how luck can unpredictably influence match outcomes.

Luck in sports is an unpredictable anomaly, not a trainable skill, according to prominent sports psychologist Amir Zulić. He emphasizes that athletes should focus their energy on what they can control, their training and performance, rather than external factors that are beyond their influence.

Luck is not trained and you cannot rely on it. It is an external factor that is not controlled, an anomaly in an imperfect world. The only thing you can do is train better and more. It all comes around, luck and misfortune somehow equalize, like a 'piglet' in table tennis that sometimes brings you, and sometimes takes away, the whole match.

— Amir ZulićSports psychologist explaining the nature of luck in sports.

"Luck is not trained and you cannot rely on it. It is an external factor that is not controlled, an anomaly in an imperfect world. The only thing you can do is train better and more. It all comes around, luck and misfortune somehow equalize, like a 'piglet' in table tennis that sometimes brings you, and sometimes takes away, the whole match," Zulić explained.

He advises athletes to mentally reframe challenging draws by embracing the opponent. "I suggest to athletes that when they see the draw, they tell themselves: 'That's exactly the opponent I wanted.' You approach everything you cannot control by wanting it," he said. Zulić also noted that uncertainty can cause anxiety, and athletes should focus on the present moment, stating, "I have no idea what will happen, but I am looking forward to competing."

I suggest to athletes that when they see the draw, they tell themselves: 'That's exactly the opponent I wanted.' You approach everything you cannot control by wanting it.

— Amir ZulićSports psychologist advising athletes on how to mentally approach challenging opponents.

Zulić further elaborated that focusing on controllable elements, such as one's own reactions and coaching strategies, is crucial. He contrasted this with uncontrollable factors like referees, weather conditions, or the opponent. He used the example of a coach's demeanor influencing players, suggesting that maintaining composure is key. When a shot hits the post, Zulić argues it's not necessarily bad luck but a lack of precision in execution. True luck, he suggests, might involve a shot deflecting off a goalkeeper's heel or the post into the net.

I have no idea what will happen, but I am looking forward to competing.

— Amir ZulićSports psychologist on managing anxiety related to sports uncertainty.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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