Sports performance expert proves wearing club colours can improve how your teams performs
Crewe Alexandra is calling for fans to create a ‘Wall of Colour’ at the opening home league match on 16th August against Barnsley by wearing home shirts, scarfs and for the loyal, body paint. The rallying call comes after research from leading Performance Coach Jamie Edwards has found fans showing their support through the club colours has a greater impact than traditional vocal support alone.
The report found the psychological effect of fans wearing club colours can significantly impact on the way players respond on the pitch. Previous studies have found 93% of communication is nonverbal, including on the football field. Our minds react differently to visual stimuli and the human brain deciphers image elements simultaneously, while language is decoded in a linear, sequential manner taking more time to process.
Jamie Edwards explains: “While managers always ask fans to be vocal, in sports performance you focus on the non-obvious. For a supporter the obvious is making noise, however players react to visual changes before sound. The non-obvious for the fan is to make a visual impact.”
“The ‘Wall of Colour’ is a call to action for Alex fans to become the 12th man by creating a powerful visual cue to the players which shows total support. This is the chance for every Crewe fan to help shape the club’s season.”
The report also found they key time for fans to create a ‘Wall of Colour’ is during the first home game of the season. In the 2013/14 Sky Bet Football League season, of the 10 clubs promoted, 7 won their first home game whilst 3 came away with a draw. In contrast all the 9 relegated clubs lost their first home game. The research also found that a home team is 37.29% more likely to score goals than the away team.
Jamie Edwards said: “There is no doubt that when you combine the elements of playing at home with visual fan support, fans can have an effect on team performance. Creating a ‘Wall of Colour’ can help Crewe win that crucial first home game.”
Every side will want to make a strong start to the new season and the three points on offer could go on to make all the difference when the trophies are being handed out next Spring.” Shaun Harvey, the Chief Executive of The Football League, said: “The beginning of the new season is always a special time, with supporters full of hope and expectation that this season is going to be their year. It’s great to see so many fans set to create a ‘Wall of Colour’ at and I hope that supporters across The League rise to the challenge.
August.
thThe ‘Wall of Colour’ is set to be created by Crewe fans over the opening weekend of the 16
To find out how you can support Crewe and get involved with the ‘Wall of Colour’, check out the official club channels. Fans can also follow The Football League Twitter feed @football_league and join the conversion using #WallOfColour.