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An Athlete’s Welfare - Being Successful both on and Off the Field

no@spam.com (Michelle Cranston) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:58:39 MST

Most books on sports psychology have been mostly steered towards techniques and interventions that coaches and athletes can use to enhance sporting performance. Nevertheless, these techniques will be largely ineffective if the athlete is not coping with personal difficulties off field. Consider this scenario: a tennis player who is expected to win an important competition gets knocked out in the first round. He is embarrassed, ashamed, and feels like he has let himself, his coach, and his parents down. He loses his passion for tennis and considers quitting the sport. Immediately implementing a goal setting program to “motivate” this athlete will not only be ineffective, it may also minimise or dismiss his emotional response. Any performance enhancement intervention by itself probably will not help this athlete until he has worked through his psychological response to the tournament.

Anxiety and Playing in Front of the Big Crowds

no@spam.com (Michelle Cranston) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:58:23 MST

There is a common perception among many athletes, coaches, and even some sport psychologists that anxiety is a “bad” state, and should be reduced at all costs. Sport psychologists would traditionally most likely begin with teaching an anxious athlete relaxation and deep breathing skills. In my practice, I have found another approach also to be beneficial. Research has found that it is usually the person’s perception of their high arousal that may influence performance, not the high arousal itself.

Goal Setting Why Every Athlete Needs to Set Goals!

no@spam.com (Michelle Cranston) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 21:25:14 MST

Goal setting is perhaps the most effective tool to enhance sporting performance and personal growth. Nevertheless, it is probably one of the most misapplied interventions. Like many sport psychology tools, the process of goal setting is often assumed, and without the knowledge of the correct method of goal setting, the intervention can have reverse effects, resulting in anxiety, feelings of failure, and lack of motivation.