Solution-focused Anger Management for Men: Using Sports to Learn New Skills

"Football is like life. It requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority. - Vince Lombardi, former NFL CoachThese words from immortal football legend Vince Lombardi are ingredients for successful living. Some individuals have lived for sports from the time they first put on a little league uniform. Now as grown adults they are still as passionate as ever and at times are even criticized for this passion. Why not use this passion for self-improvement? If a man or teenage boy has a better understanding of the world through the use of sport's language, then that's where professionals need to meet them, on life's playing field!The following anger control technique is an example. The T.I.M.E. technique uses an individual's present understanding of calling for "time" during a sporting event to cue him to remember steps to control anger. The 4 steps in this easily remembered technique are as followed:T. hink!I. intercept impulses!M. ove away!E. xit the premises!The "T" cues him to think about his anger and about controlling it. During such times, it is critical to be consciously aware of one's anger - awareness alone may be enough to prevent uncontrollable rage. The "I" urges the individual to intercept - much like intercepting a pass in football-impulses to scream, hit, kick, call names, etc. The "M" cues him to move away from the conflict if he feels he will lose control. The "E" is the final step and reminds the individual to totally separate himself from the situation of a period of time if high levels of anger are not subsiding. This is an extremely useful technique and most importantly, it is very easy to remember - T.I.M.E!

by Tom Letson, MA, LPC