PSYCHOLOGY OF ATHLETIC
PREPERATION AND
PERFORMANCE
Chapter 8
, Page |1
Contents
Info........................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Role of Sport Psychology.......................................................................................................................................................3
Ideal Performance State........................................................................................................................................................3
Energy Management: Arousal, Anxiety and Stress................................................................................................................4
Arousal.............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Anxiety.............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Anxiety Cont’d................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Stress.................................................................................................................................................................................6
Influence of Arousal and Anxiety on Performance................................................................................................................7
Drive Theory (Hull)............................................................................................................................................................7
Skill Level:......................................................................................................................................................................7
Task Complexity.............................................................................................................................................................7
Inverted-U Theory (Yerkes and Dodson)...........................................................................................................................8
Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning Theory (Hanin)..................................................................................................8
Catastrophe Theory (Hardy)..............................................................................................................................................9
Reversal Theory (Kerr).......................................................................................................................................................9
Motivation........................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation....................................................................................................................................10
Achievement Motivation.................................................................................................................................................10
Motivational Aspects of Skill Learning (Self-Controlled Practice)....................................................................................11
Positive and Negative Reinforcement in Coaching..........................................................................................................11
Attention and Focus............................................................................................................................................................12
Attentional Styles............................................................................................................................................................13
Psychological Technique for Improved Performance..........................................................................................................14
Relaxation Techniques to Control Elevated Arousal and Anxiety....................................................................................14
Diaphragmatic Breathing.............................................................................................................................................14
Progressive Muscular Relaxation.................................................................................................................................15
Autogenic Training.......................................................................................................................................................15
Systematic desensitization..........................................................................................................................................15
Imagery........................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Self-Efficacy................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Self-Talk....................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Goal Setting................................................................................................................................................................. 18
, Page |2
Enhancing Motor Skill Acquisition and Learning..................................................................................................................19
Learning-Performance Distinction...................................................................................................................................19
Practice Schedule............................................................................................................................................................19
Whole versus Part Practice..........................................................................................................................................19
Random Practice..........................................................................................................................................................20
Variable Practice..........................................................................................................................................................20
Observational Learning................................................................................................................................................20
Instructions...................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Feedback......................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Info
Excellence in athletic performance = result of:
o Sound skill + physical training
o Optimal rest + recovery cycles
o Appropriate diet
Phenotypic development of athlete’s genetic potential = relatively stable ceiling for performance
o Expression of skilled performance can vary from contest-contest or movement-movement
Role of sports psychology:
o Help athletes achieve more consistent levels of performance at or near their physical potential by
carefully managing their physical resources through appropriat3e psychological strategies and
techniques
The ideal performance state:
o The ultimate goal of every athlete
o State = marked by psychological + physiological efficiency
Employing only the amount of mental + physical energy required to perform the task
Primary psychological influences:
o Motivation
o Attention
o Arousal
PREPERATION AND
PERFORMANCE
Chapter 8
, Page |1
Contents
Info........................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Role of Sport Psychology.......................................................................................................................................................3
Ideal Performance State........................................................................................................................................................3
Energy Management: Arousal, Anxiety and Stress................................................................................................................4
Arousal.............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Anxiety.............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Anxiety Cont’d................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Stress.................................................................................................................................................................................6
Influence of Arousal and Anxiety on Performance................................................................................................................7
Drive Theory (Hull)............................................................................................................................................................7
Skill Level:......................................................................................................................................................................7
Task Complexity.............................................................................................................................................................7
Inverted-U Theory (Yerkes and Dodson)...........................................................................................................................8
Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning Theory (Hanin)..................................................................................................8
Catastrophe Theory (Hardy)..............................................................................................................................................9
Reversal Theory (Kerr).......................................................................................................................................................9
Motivation........................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation....................................................................................................................................10
Achievement Motivation.................................................................................................................................................10
Motivational Aspects of Skill Learning (Self-Controlled Practice)....................................................................................11
Positive and Negative Reinforcement in Coaching..........................................................................................................11
Attention and Focus............................................................................................................................................................12
Attentional Styles............................................................................................................................................................13
Psychological Technique for Improved Performance..........................................................................................................14
Relaxation Techniques to Control Elevated Arousal and Anxiety....................................................................................14
Diaphragmatic Breathing.............................................................................................................................................14
Progressive Muscular Relaxation.................................................................................................................................15
Autogenic Training.......................................................................................................................................................15
Systematic desensitization..........................................................................................................................................15
Imagery........................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Self-Efficacy................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Self-Talk....................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Goal Setting................................................................................................................................................................. 18
, Page |2
Enhancing Motor Skill Acquisition and Learning..................................................................................................................19
Learning-Performance Distinction...................................................................................................................................19
Practice Schedule............................................................................................................................................................19
Whole versus Part Practice..........................................................................................................................................19
Random Practice..........................................................................................................................................................20
Variable Practice..........................................................................................................................................................20
Observational Learning................................................................................................................................................20
Instructions...................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Feedback......................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Info
Excellence in athletic performance = result of:
o Sound skill + physical training
o Optimal rest + recovery cycles
o Appropriate diet
Phenotypic development of athlete’s genetic potential = relatively stable ceiling for performance
o Expression of skilled performance can vary from contest-contest or movement-movement
Role of sports psychology:
o Help athletes achieve more consistent levels of performance at or near their physical potential by
carefully managing their physical resources through appropriat3e psychological strategies and
techniques
The ideal performance state:
o The ultimate goal of every athlete
o State = marked by psychological + physiological efficiency
Employing only the amount of mental + physical energy required to perform the task
Primary psychological influences:
o Motivation
o Attention
o Arousal
