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.