Psychological Skills’ Training for Sport’s Performance
The strengths and weaknesses that I think that my client might have:
My athlete is a competitive club runner. Initially without them taking any tests I would
predict that their psychological strength would definitely be their motivation – they are very
driven and self-motivated when it comes to training and improving their performance.
In contrast, I think that their weaknesses would include the following ; confidence –
although they are driven to succeed, I don’t think that they have high levels of confidence
regarding their overall sporting ability; and anxiety – I think that my athlete struggles to deal
with high pressured situations – such as competitions – and experiences high levels of
anxiety as a result when placed in these type of situations.
Therefore, in this plan I want to target these weaknesses as following the completion of the
plan, my athlete is competing in ‘Parliament Hill’ which is a Cross Country Championship. As
a result, in this, I want to work to improve these weaknesses using this plan in a way that is
relevant in terms of my athlete’s preparation for this race.
Results from the ACSI – 28 Test
The Athletic Coping Skills Inventory 28 is a highly validated assessment that measures an athlete’s
psychological coping skills in seven key areas. The ACSI-28 helps guide athletes who are interested in
gaining more understanding and clarity around these mental skills that can impact performance
Results Trait from Sport Confidence Inventory
A measure of the degree of certainty that you usually possess about your ability to succeed in
sport/physical activity
Results from Sport Competitive Anxiety Test
A test measuring the tendency of an athlete to experience anxiety when competing in a sport. It is
used to measure competitive trait anxiety.
STRENGTHS – EXAMPLES FROM TESTS
Concentration – scored 10/12 (ACSI 28) This shows that my athlete doesn’t become easily
distracted and is able to focus on the task at hand in both training and competition
situations, even when adverse or unexpected situations occur.
Motivation – scored 7/12 (ASCI 28) This shows that my athlete is positively motivated and
as a result it is likely that they will consistently give 100% during practices and games and
will work hard to improve their skills.
, Coachability – scored 7/12 (ASCI 28) This shows that is highly likely that my athlete is open
to and learns from instruction, and accepts constructive criticism without taking it personally
and becoming upset
WEAKNESSES – EXAMPLES FROM TESTS
Anxiety– scored 29 (Sport Competitive Anxiety Test) when 24 or over indicated a high level
of anxiety. This means that my athlete will have a tendency to experience high levels of
anxiety when competing in their sport which is a weakness as it likely that this could
affective their sporting performance negatively.
Confidence – 65/117 scored (Trait Sport Confidence Inventory) which indicates that my
client has a low to medium level of confidence regarding their ability to succeed in
sport/physical activity. These low levels could be viewed as a weakness as they could affect
sporting performance negatively if my athlete doesn’t believe that they are ultimately
capable of succeeding.
Peaking under pressure – 3/12 (ACSI 28) This shows that my athlete is threatened by
pressured situations and as a result might struggle to perform well under pressure. This is a
weakness as they might be unable to perform when placed in competitive situations.
Stress or worry “Freedom from worry” – 5/12 (ACSI 28) This score suggests that my athlete
puts pressure themselves by worrying about performing poorly or making mistakes. This also
suggests that my athlete worries about what others will think if they perform poorly. This is
a weakness as it could result in a decreased sporting performance.
AIMS
• Improve my athlete’s ability to cope with high levels of anxiety so that this doesn’t affect
their sporting performance
• Improve their confidence in their ability to perform and succeed in their sport
• Improve their ability to cope with pressure when placed in both competitive situations and
training situations. Attempt to change the way in which they view these pressured situations
so that this doesn’t have a negative effect on their performance.
• Improve their ability to cope with both stress and worry regarding their performance and
making mistakes.
• Make these physiological changes so that my client can use these to benefit their
performance in a competition at the end of the programme
OBJECTIVES
Explore different techniques for combating anxiety both in and out of sporting situations
Explore different techniques for improving confidence in performance both in and out of
sporting situations
Explore different techniques for improving their ability to cope with pressured situations.
Alongside this, explore different techniques to help my athlete cope with stress and worry
brought on my certain situations
The strengths and weaknesses that I think that my client might have:
My athlete is a competitive club runner. Initially without them taking any tests I would
predict that their psychological strength would definitely be their motivation – they are very
driven and self-motivated when it comes to training and improving their performance.
In contrast, I think that their weaknesses would include the following ; confidence –
although they are driven to succeed, I don’t think that they have high levels of confidence
regarding their overall sporting ability; and anxiety – I think that my athlete struggles to deal
with high pressured situations – such as competitions – and experiences high levels of
anxiety as a result when placed in these type of situations.
Therefore, in this plan I want to target these weaknesses as following the completion of the
plan, my athlete is competing in ‘Parliament Hill’ which is a Cross Country Championship. As
a result, in this, I want to work to improve these weaknesses using this plan in a way that is
relevant in terms of my athlete’s preparation for this race.
Results from the ACSI – 28 Test
The Athletic Coping Skills Inventory 28 is a highly validated assessment that measures an athlete’s
psychological coping skills in seven key areas. The ACSI-28 helps guide athletes who are interested in
gaining more understanding and clarity around these mental skills that can impact performance
Results Trait from Sport Confidence Inventory
A measure of the degree of certainty that you usually possess about your ability to succeed in
sport/physical activity
Results from Sport Competitive Anxiety Test
A test measuring the tendency of an athlete to experience anxiety when competing in a sport. It is
used to measure competitive trait anxiety.
STRENGTHS – EXAMPLES FROM TESTS
Concentration – scored 10/12 (ACSI 28) This shows that my athlete doesn’t become easily
distracted and is able to focus on the task at hand in both training and competition
situations, even when adverse or unexpected situations occur.
Motivation – scored 7/12 (ASCI 28) This shows that my athlete is positively motivated and
as a result it is likely that they will consistently give 100% during practices and games and
will work hard to improve their skills.
, Coachability – scored 7/12 (ASCI 28) This shows that is highly likely that my athlete is open
to and learns from instruction, and accepts constructive criticism without taking it personally
and becoming upset
WEAKNESSES – EXAMPLES FROM TESTS
Anxiety– scored 29 (Sport Competitive Anxiety Test) when 24 or over indicated a high level
of anxiety. This means that my athlete will have a tendency to experience high levels of
anxiety when competing in their sport which is a weakness as it likely that this could
affective their sporting performance negatively.
Confidence – 65/117 scored (Trait Sport Confidence Inventory) which indicates that my
client has a low to medium level of confidence regarding their ability to succeed in
sport/physical activity. These low levels could be viewed as a weakness as they could affect
sporting performance negatively if my athlete doesn’t believe that they are ultimately
capable of succeeding.
Peaking under pressure – 3/12 (ACSI 28) This shows that my athlete is threatened by
pressured situations and as a result might struggle to perform well under pressure. This is a
weakness as they might be unable to perform when placed in competitive situations.
Stress or worry “Freedom from worry” – 5/12 (ACSI 28) This score suggests that my athlete
puts pressure themselves by worrying about performing poorly or making mistakes. This also
suggests that my athlete worries about what others will think if they perform poorly. This is
a weakness as it could result in a decreased sporting performance.
AIMS
• Improve my athlete’s ability to cope with high levels of anxiety so that this doesn’t affect
their sporting performance
• Improve their confidence in their ability to perform and succeed in their sport
• Improve their ability to cope with pressure when placed in both competitive situations and
training situations. Attempt to change the way in which they view these pressured situations
so that this doesn’t have a negative effect on their performance.
• Improve their ability to cope with both stress and worry regarding their performance and
making mistakes.
• Make these physiological changes so that my client can use these to benefit their
performance in a competition at the end of the programme
OBJECTIVES
Explore different techniques for combating anxiety both in and out of sporting situations
Explore different techniques for improving confidence in performance both in and out of
sporting situations
Explore different techniques for improving their ability to cope with pressured situations.
Alongside this, explore different techniques to help my athlete cope with stress and worry
brought on my certain situations
