POLYVAGAL THEORY IN SPORT — MINDMAP STRUCTURE
- Pheonix Drewell
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
1. Core Theory (Stephen Porges, 1995)
"Polyvagal Theory explains how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) shapes behaviour, emotion, and physiological responses, particularly in relation to safety and threat." - Pheonix Drewell
Three branches of the ANS
a. Dorsal Vagal (Shutdown / Freeze)
Immobilisation response
Disengagement, numbness, collapse
Heart rate and blood pressure drop
Can occur without conscious awareness
Sport example
An elite AFL player “zones out” after being yelled at in front of teammates. He doesn’t protest, just misses all tackles for the next 10 minutes. Coach misreads it as laziness.
Truth - He’s in a dorsal state (shutdown).
B. Sympathetic Nervous System (Fight / Flight)
Mobilisation response
Anger, panic, rapid movement
Increased heart rate, adrenaline
Useful for performance—but dysregulates under trauma triggers
Sport example
A basketballer sprints off-court mid-game after a referee makes a triggering call. She’s been trained to play through pain, but her ACE history includes authority trauma.
TheTruth - She's in flight, not disrespect.
c. Ventral Vagal (Social Engagement System)
Safe connection + co-regulation
Calm presence, trust, communication
Facial expression, eye contact, voice tone regulated
Ideal state for learning, performing, bonding
Sport example
A coach greets each athlete by name, uses warm voice tone, and maintains predictable routines pre-practice. One athlete with complex trauma starts arriving early, not late, for the first time in weeks.
The Truth - The ventral system is activating safety through routine and tone.
2. Key Concepts for Coaches
Neuroception
"The body detects safety or threat below conscious awareness."
Application
An athlete might lash out when subbed, not because of ego, but because their nervous system perceived being benched as abandonment.
Coaching upgrade
Respond with calm, boundary-setting, not punishment.
Co-regulation
"Nervous systems sync. A dysregulated coach creates dysregulated players."
Application
Your tone, pacing, posture, and voice create emotional templates.Trauma-impacted athletes read your nervous system before they listen to your words.
Key Concepts for Coaches
Neuroception
"The body detects safety or threat below conscious awareness".
Application
An athlete might lash out when subbed, not because of ego, but because their nervous system perceived being benched as abandonment.
Coaching upgrade
Respond with calm, boundary-setting, not punishment.
Co-regulation
Nervous systems sync. A dysregulated coach creates dysregulated players.
Application
Your tone, pacing, posture, and voice create emotional templates.Trauma-impacted athletes read your nervous system before they listen to your words.
Why This Matters
Most trauma-informed courses stop at “be kind” or “be patient.”Polyvagal-informed coaching says:
“Read the nervous system. Coach the state. THEN coach the skill.”
This gives precision, not just compassion.
We’re not just building better players. We’re forging smarter coaches, rewiring stronger brains, and raising a generation of elite athletes who perform with purpose and thrive doing it.
That’s why we exist.
