Amygdala Highjackings: Penalties and Coaching

Hello MHR friends.  Last week I posted on Emotional Intelligence.  This week I would like to expand on that and discuss Amygdala Highjacking- something that plays a role in every football game.  I will explain.  

When the brain reacts to a sensation (sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell) there are several things that happen.  This begins with sensation, then that sensation information is relayed to the thalamus.  Basically, the thalamus is like a air-traffic controller, directing the information to the appropriate parts of the brain for most efficient handling.  Most often, the information is directed to the cortex, or the 'thinking brain' where the information is analyzed rationally, and then directed to the amygdala.  In the amygdala, peptides and hormones are released to create both emotion and action through the body.  When the sensation is sufficient to trigger adrenaline, as in the case of an emergency situation, the cortex is bypassed, and the raw information goes directly to the amygdala.  Bypassing the cortex allows the brain to react immediately, and in many cases, this can save lives. 

Bypassing the cortex has a drawback, an amygdala highjacking results.  The brain will force action based only on previously stored patterns.  So, depending on the experience of the brain, this can and does go very wrong at times.  This little drawback is the cause of many inappropriate responses, such as murder, assault, or destruction of property.

On the football field, amygdala highjackings result in penalties and errors which can mean the difference between winning and losing.  Josh McDaniels has the Broncos doing better over the past several weeks at avoiding penalties.  This is because the players are coached mentally and physically to develop patterns that support the appropriate response.   

The blame for penalties can be assigned to two different scenarios in the player's or coach's mind.  One type of penalty occurs when a normal brain process occurs with the cortex involved, the other occurs when an amygdala highjacking happens.

1. Encroachment.
2. Delay of game.
3. Illegal substitution.
4. Excessive time out(s).
5. Incidental grasp of facemask.
6. Neutral zone infraction.
7. Running into the kicker.
8. More than 11 players on the field at the snap.

Basically, these are the dumb little incidental things that happen.  This is because the player or coach is in a postion prior to the play where he is thinking about his actions and processing the most appropriate action.  Every player has a automatic mental checklist of what he will do on every play.  This checklist is improved through situational learning/ coaching- something Josh McDaniels has talked about.       

Examples of amygdala highjacking errors are:

1. Pass interference.
2. Holding, illegal use of hands, arms, or body by offense.
3. Tripping 
4. Illegal block above the waist.
5. Chop block.
6. Clipping below the waist.
7. Fair catch interference.
8. Illegal crackback block by offense.
9. Piling on.
10. Roughing the kicker.
11. Roughing the passer.
12. Twisting, turning, or pulling an opponent by the facemask.
13. Unnecessary roughness.
14. Unsportsmanlike conduct.
15. Taunting 

These are the more costly penalties that occur and are the result of players 'not thinking' aka amygdala highjackings.  These penalties can be eliminated through situational learning pattern development as well, and likely are much easier to prevent through that method.  This is because after repetition, the patterns are developed, and there is really no thinking involved.  When is the last time you remember seeing a Bronco commit one of these penalties? 

As the season goes on, the Broncos are improving on their overall penalty performance.  Over the past 3 games they have averaged only 4.3 penalties per game, despite committing 6 in baltimore.  View this chart from www.teamrankings.com

Rank	Team	2009	Last 3	Last 1	Home	Away	2008
1	Seattle (2-5)	3.9	4.3	6.0	3.8	4.0	4.9
2	Cleveland (1-7)	4.6	4.0	3.0	6.0	3.8	6.2
3	Jacksonville (3-4)	4.9	4.7	2.0	5.0	4.8	6.5
4	Minnesota (7-1)	5.1	5.7	3.0	4.7	5.4	5.5
5	Pittsburgh (5-2)	5.1	4.3	3.0	4.8	5.7	6.1
6	Houston (5-3)	5.4	6.3	5.0	4.8	6.0	5.0
7	New England (5-2)	5.4	6.7	10.0	3.2	8.3	3.6
7	Atlanta (4-3)	5.4	4.3	4.0	5.3	5.5	4.6
9	Denver (6-1)	5.6	4.3	6.0	6.0	5.2	4.4

Josh McDaniels' approach to player and team development centers around emotional intelligence.  The amygdala, or rather the amygdala's use of the brain's experience patterns, is a key component of EI.  In order for us to see improvement it is critical that we have players and coaches with high EI.  As you know, we do have that in McDaniels and those he has chosen to surround himself with.  There are several obvious things that must be done correctly in order to consistently win in the NFL.  As several other MHR members have pointed out previously, penalties, field position and turnovers, and time of posession are very important factors.  Unfortunately, these items are not simple to address.  That is why only the best at coaching and executing can win with regularity.  Look for there to be vast improvement in the 'cortex' related penalties as McDaniels continues to work his methods. 

Despite our setback in Baltimore, you will begin to see more evidence of EI and the role it will play as McDaniels builds a team beyond any of our reasonable expectations.  Maybe we won't win the Super Bowl this year, or next, but I guarantee it is coming and will keep on coming as long as McDaniels is with us.   

Thank you McGenious, and GO BRONCOS!!!