Seminar 2 - Psychological Skills Training

Question 1

What is psychological skills training?

Answer 1

Psychological skills training (PST) refers to systematic and consistent practice of mental or psychological skills for the purpose of enhancing performance, increasing enjoyment, or achieving greater sport and physical activity self-satisfaction (Weinberg & Gould, 2011, p. 248)

Question 2

What other domains may benefit from PST?

Answer 2

Performing arts, studying/exams, presentations, medical, military, pilots, firefighters, police

Question 3

Who conducts PST?

Answer 3

Sport psychologist + coach (knows the clientele and the sport best, they see the players day in day out)

Question 4

What are some qualities of sport psychologists?

Answer 4

Psychologist Qualities
Recognise limits of competency or expertise
Respect confidentiality
Understand how own values and biases may impact
Make appropriate referrals
Understand unique athlete culture
Understand influence of athletic environment
Understand coaching philosophy
Consider cultural differences

Question 5

What is an important consideration when deciding when to conduct PST?

Answer 5

Flexibility - there is a need to cater to athletes’ busy schedules

Question 6

What are the 7 stages of the performance enhancement process (Thomas, 1990)?

Answer 6

1 - Orientation
2 - Sport analysis
3 - Individual/team assessment
4 - Conceptualisation
5 - Psychological skills training
6 - Implementation
7 - Evaluation

Question 7

What is important in phase 1: Orientation?

Answer 7

• Explain what you do
• Explain how you do it
• Performance enhancement and/or well-being
• Your philosophy or approach
• Explain importance/relevance of PST

Question 8

What is important in phase 2: Sport analysis?

Answer 8

Analyse demands of sport
Physical, technical, tactical, biomechanical, logistical (i.e., duration, location, equipment)
Specific & generic psychological demand

Question 9

What is important in phase 3: Individual/team assessment?

Answer 9

• Observations, in training and competition
• Assessing strengths and weaknesses (personal or coach perspective)
• Subjective or objective assessments e.g., CSAI — 2, heart rate?

Question 10

What is important in phase 4: Conceptualisation?

Answer 10

• Feedback results
• Objective and outcomes
• Performance Profiling
• Involve coach and relevant others

Question 11

What is important in phase 5: Psychological skills training?

Answer 11

• Outcomes of needs analysis
• Determinants of skills to be trained
• Time of programme being implemented
• Availability of coach/athlete time
• Interest levels

Question 12

What is important in phase 6: Implementation?

Answer 12

• Scheduling and integration
• Education (theory and practical)
• Physical practice
• Integration with training
• Integration with simulated pressure situation
• Execution in competitive situation
• Individual progress

Question 13

What is important in phase 7: Evaluation?

Answer 13

• Determine effectiveness of intervention
• Objective and subjective assessment
• Feedback from personnel involved
• Potential re-adjustments to future interventions

Question 14

What are some challenges a sport psychologist may face?

Answer 14

• Reluctance
• Gaining Trust
• Mismatch between beliefs and practice (Heishman & Bunker, 1989)
• Athletes tend to use mental training techniques more in competition than in training (Frey, Laguna, & Ravizza, 2003)
• Lack of knowledge of sport
• Maintaining contact
• Cooperation from coaching staff and organisation

Question 15

What are some ethical considerations that a sport psychologist may face?

Answer 15

• Confidentiality
• Personal values and professional ethics
• Dual relationships
• Self-presentation and advertising