Sports: Miracle Film

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The film is written by Eric Guggenheim and directed by Gavin O’Connor. The Miracle film is about men’s hockey team of United States which has Herb Brooks as the head coach. It is a back-story of nineteen eighty winter Olympics, where the U.S team won the gold medal and acquired victory over Soviet team which had been highly favored. This occurred during a period of increased sociopolitical tension. The movie shows the activities of the team with Herb Brooks as the head coach. He is from University of Minnesota and is interviewed by the U.S Olympic Committee where he points out his strategies and schedule changes to be put in place so as gain victory over the Soviet team. Herb Brooks is assisted by Craig Partrick who is his assistant coach. He selects a preliminary team consisting of twenty six who eventually had to be reduced too twenty. Brook convinces the committee executive director Walter Bush of his great interest to the team who promises to back him up (O’Connor ‘Miracle’). The coach is focused and confident that the team will achieve (Andersen 23).

The initial practice involves a fight between Jack O’Callahan a defenseman and Rob McClanahan a forward due to college rivalry. The players are advised by Brooks to build work as team and disregard the rivalry. The rivalry is as a result of individual differences such as personality which affects their social psychological aspect such as cohesion. The coach communicates to the team to enhance cohesion and satisfaction (Smith & Bar-Eli 24). He then orders every team member to state his name, home town and whom he plays for. Herb Brooks engage the team in a Herbies or conditioning drill on ice where the team sprints simultaneously. This facilitates the team in skills acquisition and to gain motivation. Such a drill is important in improving concentration and maintaining composure when under pressure. The team plays against Norwegian National team in an exhibition game which finalizes with a 3-3 draw and the coach notices that his team did not play potentially due to distraction from the beautiful girls present in the stands (O’Connor ‘Miracle’). After the game, the team is engaged in a conditioning drill at night where he is furious and questions the team on their performance. The team is being easily destructed by the beautiful which shows lack of attention focus which they had to cultivate. The effort that the coach invests in the team through training motivates the players to give their best (Taylor & Wilson 1).

In another exhibition game, the team plays with the Soviets at Madison Square Garden where the Russians gains victory with 10-3. The defenseman O’Callahan of the US team is injured and is unable to play in the Olympics. The coach warns Jim Craig the goaltender that he would be replaced with Steve Janaszak the backup goalie if he does not perform the best way he could. In this way, the coach builds confidence of the goalie and encourages his participation in the game (Andersen 23). During the Olympics tournaments, the first game involves U.S and Sweden where Sweden gains victory scoring 2-1. Brooks is furious and accuses McClanahan that he had quit the team since the doctor had confirmed the injury wouldn’t worsen if he played. The coach applies constructive criticism which helps to facilitate the team’s performance. Eventually, McClanahan plays despite the pain he felt. He inspires the team where a goal is scored by Bill baker in the last minute. They end up in a 2-2 draw against Sweden. This shows motivation is very crucial in acquiring sports achievement. The game that follows involves U.S and Czechoslovakia where US gains victory with a score of 7-3 (O’Connor ‘Miracle’). The players are tactful, concentrate and are physically fit which enhances their confidence.

Their victory over West Germany, Romania and Norway gains then a medal round. Their 1st medal round is where Russians are favored failing to be penalized due to a slash and they scores the first goal. Since O’Callahan had recovered from his injury, he plays and knocks Vladimir Krutov where the Russians score a goal. During the last minute of the first period, Vladislav Tretiak, Soviet goalie stops a shot from Dave Christian but its rebounded by Mark Johnson. The US team is able to properly manage the pressure and intensity of the game. The Soviet Coach is replaced by Soviet coach and soviets score another goal in the second period and score rises to 3-2. The soviets are later penalized and Johnson scores another goal. American player Eruzione scores a goal leading the U.S with a 4-3. The team is extremely happy of the lead and ice skates as they celebrate which demonstrates the team cohesion and enthusiasm. The Soviet team is aggressive and U.S team plays a defense game until the time elapses. US team gains a miraculous victory as crowd roar and Al Williams, a commentator broadcasts “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” Coach Herb Brooks is so proud of his team. Later the team gains victory over Finland and wins the gold medal and the entire team proudly steps on the platform proudly and happily holding the gold medal (O’Connor ‘Miracle’). Their victory has been contributed by the teamwork and players enthusiasm. Their coach successfully guided the team through practice, focus and communication (Smith & Bar-Eli 394).

Physical, mental and psychological preparation is important in practice as well as competitions. The US team is reinforced by the exercise they engage in and continuous practice from behavioral perspective. Cognitively, the team believes in teamwork and never gives up even when they face defeat. The team is composed of young and strong men whose vigor facilitates their active engagement in sports. The coach is focused on his team to achieve victory at whichever cost, and dedicates his time and potential to the team. Physiologically, Vigorous exercises produce chemical changes such as endorphins which help in enhancing the mood of the players. Their pursuit to acquire victory may have been facilitated by the sociopolitical tension between U.S and Russia that existed at the time of the Olympics (Jarvis 8).

Works Cited:

Jarvis Matt. Sports Psychology: A Student’s Handbook. New York: Routledge. 2006.

O’Connor Gavin. Miracle. DVD, Disney Home Entertainment.2004.

Smith Daniel, Bar-Eli Michael. Essential Readings in Sports and Exercise Psychology.USA: Human Kinetics.2007.

Taylor Jim, Wilson Gregory. Applying Sports Psychology: Four Perspectives.USA: Human Kinetics. 2005.

Bibliography:

Association for Applied Sports Psychology (AASP). Resources for Coaches. <http://appliedsportpsych.org/resource-center/coaches>

Andersen Mark. Sports Psychology in Practice. United States of America: Human Kinetics. 2005.

Brian Mac. Psychology. Sports Coach.1997. <http://www.brianmac.co.uk/psych.htm>

Cox Richard. Sports Psychology: Concepts and Applications. USA: McGraw-Hill Humanities Social.2006.

Martens Rainer. Coaches Guide to Sports Psychology.USA: Human Kinetics.1987.

Schinke Robert, Hanrahan Stephanie. Cultural Sports Psychology.USA: Human Kinetics.2009.