Some of the best players in the world can be put off their game by a niggly, waspish, wind-up merchant, who likes nothing more than getting in the ear of an opponent and antagonising them to the point of explosion.
Reaction to these mind games differ: Some players lash out, others go into their shell and hide and there are those that crumble and see their performance nosedive.
But former Manchester United and England psychologist Bill Beswick has a plan for countering these pesky adversaries.
Watch this video and find arm yourself with a psychological strategy to remain focused on the game and not a mouthy opponent.
Also see:
How to kick a losing habit
How to bounce back from a mistake
Managing the pressures of a penalty
Get the best out of a big ego
Dealing with the red mist
Keeping focus in the last 15 minutes
Dealing with a dressing room feud
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