Sports Psychology Basics

Study Notes

Defined as the study of human behavior and mental processes in sports and exercise settings
Key concepts:
- Motivation: intrinsic (e.g. personal enjoyment) vs. extrinsic (e.g. external rewards)
- Confidence: self-efficacy, confidence intervals, and performance
- Anxiety: competition anxiety, pressure, and choke
- Focus: attention, concentration, and mental toughness
Theories and models:
- Self-Determination Theory (SDT): autonomy, competence, and relatedness
- Social Cognitive Theory (SCT): observational learning, self-efficacy, and reinforcement
- Reversal Theory (RT): metamotivational states, reversal, and emotional experiences

Defined as the process of developing athletes to reach their full potential
Key concepts:
- Long-term athlete development (LTAD): stages, principles, and guidelines
- Talent identification and development: early vs. late specialization, and talent pathways
- Periodization: macro, meso, and micro-cycles, and planning
- Training principles: overload, specificity, and variation
Models and frameworks:
- FTEM (Fundamental, Technical, Tactical, and Emotional) framework
- DMAC (Development, Maturation, Athletic, and Coordination) framework

Defined as the approaches and strategies used to guide athletes towards achieving their goals
Key concepts:
- Autonomy-supportive coaching: promoting self-regulation, motivation, and self-determination
- Teaching games for understanding (TGfU): game-based approach, and problem-solving
- Constraints-led coaching: manipulating environment, task, and organism to promote learning
- Positive coaching: focus on strengths, and building positive relationships
Coaching styles:
- Authoritarian: directive, instruction-based, and controlling
- Democratic: athlete-centered, collaborative, and empowering
- Holistic: integrating physical, technical, tactical, and emotional aspects

Study of human behavior and mental processes in sports and exercise settings
Key concepts include:
Motivation: intrinsic (personal enjoyment) vs. extrinsic (external rewards)
Confidence: self-efficacy, confidence intervals, and performance
Anxiety: competition anxiety, pressure, and choke
Focus: attention, concentration, and mental toughness
Theories and models include:
Self-Determination Theory (SDT): autonomy, competence, and relatedness
Social Cognitive Theory (SCT): observational learning, self-efficacy, and reinforcement
Reversal Theory (RT): metamotivational states, reversal, and emotional experiences

Process of developing athletes to reach their full potential
Key concepts include:
Long-term athlete development (LTAD): stages, principles, and guidelines
Talent identification and development: early vs. late specialization, and talent pathways
Periodization: macro, meso, and micro-cycles, and planning
Training principles: overload, specificity, and variation
Models and frameworks include:
FTEM (Fundamental, Technical, Tactical, and Emotional) framework
DMAC (Development, Maturation, Athletic, and Coordination) framework

Approaches and strategies used to guide athletes towards achieving their goals
Key concepts include:
Autonomy-supportive coaching: promoting self-regulation, motivation, and self-determination
Teaching games for understanding (TGfU): game-based approach, and problem-solving
Constraints-led coaching: manipulating environment, task, and organism to promote learning
Positive coaching: focus on strengths, and building positive relationships
Coaching styles include:
Authoritarian: directive, instruction-based, and controlling
Democratic: athlete-centered, collaborative, and empowering
Holistic: integrating physical, technical, tactical, and emotional aspects