An athlete needs to constantly perform at a high level, yet athletes are under constant pressure. 

In a sports competition, different situations must be analyzed quickly in order to assess them and then make effective decisions for the good of the team. 

For an athlete, it is inevitable to pursue big goals, such as persevering, having self-confidence, and being able to accept defeats. Because, if they are losing a match, it is very likely that feelings of sadness, anguish, or frustration will invade the athlete; this makes it difficult to perform well in the rest of the match and to make good decisions. 

Even understanding the opponent and playing as a team requires controlling emotions and redirecting them. For this reason, emotional intelligence is very relevant in the sports world. Because feelings can impair psychological states and will. 

The role of emotional intelligence in sports 

Emotional intelligence is an important element in mental games such as chess or poker. Poker players indicate that emotional intelligence is required to win. The same is true in physical sports. 

Buceta (2013) argues that stressful situations arise during training and matches. These impair psychological and physical functioning; if they are not controlled, it is possible to make mistakes or act impulsively. In addition, one may suffer from coordination disorders or be susceptible to injury. 

In a match, several situations arise in a matter of seconds that need to be solved instantly. Oftentimes, players act badly because they allow themselves to be dominated by their emotions. 

Usually, high-level athletes focus only on their physical preparation and technical development and leave aside the psychological aspect. However, performing well in a match requires not only physical prowess but also psychological preparation and emotional control. 

 The International Iberoamerican University (UNIB) offers the Master in Physical Activity: Sports Training and Management.  Source: Is emotional intelligence important in sports?