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2025 - DUE August 2025
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, 1. Use of Imagery Technique in Sport and How It Can Enhance Athletes’ Performance
Imagery, also referred to as mental rehearsal or visualization, is a psychological technique
where athletes mentally simulate their performance. When practiced effectively, it can mirror the
experience of physical execution.
Cassie Sharpe, a Canadian freestyle skier, offers a real-life example. She revealed how she
would spend hours visualising her performance, not just ideal outcomes but also negative
scenarios, allowing her to mentally prepare for any situation (Forrester, The Conversation, 2018).
Benefits of imagery in sport include:
Skill acquisition and refinement: Athletes can mentally practice techniques, improving
motor skills even without physical movement.
Confidence building: By envisioning success, athletes increase their belief in their
abilities.
Stress and anxiety management: Mental rehearsal of high-pressure scenarios helps
reduce performance anxiety.
Enhanced focus and preparation: Athletes learn to anticipate distractions and plan
appropriate responses.
Conclusion: Imagery improves readiness, decision-making, and emotional control, enhancing
overall performance.
2. How Goal-Setting Can Be Utilised by Coaches to Enhance Athletes’ Performance
Goal-setting is a key component of applied sport psychology and a proven method to improve
performance.
Bob Bowman, the coach of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, emphasised that Phelps is
“perhaps the most goal-orientated person on the planet” (Carlin, Forbes, 2020). This reflects how
setting and pursuing goals can be central to athletic success.
How coaches can apply goal-setting:
Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Short- and long-term planning: Immediate targets keep motivation high; long-term
objectives maintain focus.
Regular performance reviews: Assess progress and adjust goals accordingly.
Individualised goal structures: Tailor goals to an athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, and
sport demands.