Introduction to Psychological Skills Training

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Introduction to Psychological Skills Training
Introduction to PsychologicalSkills Training
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What Is Psychological Skills Training (PST)?
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PST Components
Arousal regulation Imagery Goal setting
self-monitoring Self-talk confidence
building Concentration focus Time
management Environmental structuring Help
seeking
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Importance of Training in Psychological Skills
During the season, how long do you spend
physically training for competition? ___ Average
time spent per day
During your season how long do you spend
practicing psychological skills for
competition? ___ Average time spent per day
(continued)
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Importance of Psychological Skills
How important do you think psychological or
mental skills are to your performance and
success? (1 Not important 10 Essential)
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Why Are Psychological Skills Neglected?
Lack of info (coaches players)
Misunderstandings about psychological skills
(e.g., they cant be learned)
Lack of time
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If I participated in a mental skills training
program
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During the past year, did you (or do you intend
to)
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PST Myths
PST is for problem athletes only.
1.
PST is for elite athletes only.
2.
PST provides quick fix solutions.
3.
PST is not useful.
4.
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PST Knowledge Base
Research on elite athletes shows that most
successful athletes differ from less successful
ones because they have
better concentration,
higher confidence,
more task-oriented thoughts,
lower anxiety, more positive thoughts and
images, and more determination or commitment.
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PST Effectiveness
MP PP BP

• Interventions must be

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Implementing PST Programs
Who should conduct PST?
When should you implement PST?
How long should training last?
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Phases of PST
Assessment Phase Education Phase Acquisition
Phase Practice Phase Evaluation/feedback
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Performance Profile
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Designing a PST Program
Discuss your approach.
Assess the athletes mental skills.
Determine which psychological skills to include.
Design a PST schedule.
Evaluate the program.
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Characteristics of Effective and Ineffective
Sport Psychology Consultants
Effective Consultants
were accessible and could establish rapport with
athletes,
were flexible and knowledgeable enough to meet
the needs of individual athletes,
were likeable and had something very concrete or
practical to offer,
conducted several follow-up sessions with
athletes throughout the season, and
were trustworthy and fit in with the team.
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Characteristics of Effective and Ineffective
Sport Psychology Consultants
Ineffective Consultants
had poor interpersonal skills,
lacked sensitivity to the needs of individual
athletes,
lacked specific psychology knowledge to apply to
the sport setting,
demonstrated inappropriate application of
consulting skills at competitions, and
relied on a canned approach when implementing
psychological skills.
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Striving for Excellence Beyond

• Making striving explicit in most cognitive and
  behavioral activities
• APA ethics / mission of psychologists