Direct & Indirect Aggression in Relation to Sport (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE))

Direct & Indirect Aggression in Relation to Sport

• Aggression in sports may be required in some activities

• Aggression can be classified as either direct or indirect aggression

Direct aggression

• This is classified when there is deliberate physical contact between participants

• Examples of direct aggression include:

  • A rugby tackle

  • A boxing punch

Diagram of direct aggression

Indirect aggression

• Indirect aggression does not involve physical contact

• This type of aggression may be used to gain an advantage over an opponent by making them feel less confident or successful

• Aggression is often aimed at an object; this is usually within the rules of the sport

• Examples of indirect aggression include:

  • a tennis player hitting the ball extremely hard toward their opponent during a rally

  • a player hitting the ball hard over the net toward their opponent during a volleyball game