Hot hands, grooves, choking, etc.

We had a discussion some time ago about streaks, hot hands, grooves, and such, triggered by various reports claiming that statistically there is no such thing in some sports. I can't put my finger on that thread, so I'll start a new one with the introduction of two articles from Science News that take then opposite point of view.

The first story reports on an article describing a study of German volleyball league statistics.

Volleyball players have taken a stand — make that a leap — for the existence of that statistically elusive feat known as the hot hand.

Not only do top volleyball strikers go on scoring runs that can’t be chalked up to chance, but players and coaches notice when a player is on a hot streak and funnel the ball his or her way, say psychologist Markus Raab of German Sport University Cologne and his colleagues...

The second story is a longer review of the mind-body connection in sports performance, touching on differences between pros' and amateurs' brains, being in the zone, and not being able to handle the pressure of a playoff game.

Whether competing on the court or in the classroom, recent discoveries suggest that the key to living up to the potential you’re born with is to train your brain well, and keep calm and focused. With such revelations as guidance, the coach of a faltering team might consider playing some En Vogue at halftime to get players in the right frame of mind. The ’90s pop group said it best: “Free your mind, and the rest will follow.”

A bunch of interesting references.