3.2.1 - Sport Psychology Flashcards
What is a ‘skill’?
A learned action or behaviour
What is ‘ability’?
Ability is something that is inherited from your parents, that are stable traits that determine an individual’s potential to learn or acquire skills.
What is the basic-to-complex
(complexity) continuum?
- Few decisions are made for basic skills, whilst for complex more decisions have to be made.
- Basic skills are normally taught to beginners, whereas complex get taught to those who have mastered the basic skills. These take a considerable time to master.
What is the open-to-closed (Environmental) continuum?
- An open skill is an environment which can change due to the environment or other players (opposition/team players) and the way you do a skill is affected by them.
- A closed skill is conducted within a stable environment where you are not affected by people around you. You will not change what you do, and therefore keep the skill the same. E.g. A basketball free throw, the player goes through the same routine and skill every time.
What is the low to high organisation (organisational) continuum?
Low organisation - some skills are made up of numerous different parts or subroutines.
High organisation - the action of cycling is sequential. The cyclist performs each part of the cycling action in one go and is very difficult to separate the different parts of the motion.
What is a performance goal?
Performance goals does not involves the performer comparing to others. Performers compare themselves against what they have already done or suggest what they are going to do.
E.g. 100m sprinter
- may hope for a better start than the last race.
- may aim to time their ‘dip’ well when crossing the line (better than last time).
What are outcome goal?
Outcome goals focus on the end result. They usually invoke comparison with other competitors. The performance standards may not be that important, but the outcome does.
E.g. A football player
- may wish to win a match.
- may wish to score two goals to increase their team’s goal difference.
Why should performers set ‘short-term’ goals?
Performers would be set short-term goals to ensure there are small increments to achieve their long-term goal.
Why do performers set ‘long-term’ goals?
Performers set long-term goals to ensure they have a clear target to aim towards over a long time period (I.e. a year)
What type of goal would a beginner use?
Beginners usually prefer to avoid outcome goals as failure could demotivate them. This might be that winning is unrealistic for some performers.
Beginners may be better at concentrating on performance goals and trying to better themselves without worrying about the result compared to others.
What type of goal might an advanced/elite performer use?
Elite athletes are often driven by one thing and thing only - winning!
The use of performance goals can help motivate them to work on individual aspects of performance, but the outcome goal of winning, or gaining a medal, may increase their desire to succeed even more.
The best performers can persist, even when they fail, and become even more determined to succeed next time.
What does the acronym SMART stand for?
S - Specific M - Measurable A - Achievable R - Realistic T - Time Bound
What does Specific mean, when following the SMART principles?
The goal must be specific to the demands of the sport / muscles being used / movements involved.
What does Measurable mean, when using the SMART principle?
It must be possible to measure whether it has been achieved.
What does Achievable mean, when following the SMART principle?
It has to be possible to achieve. If it is too difficult, the performer will give up. If it is too easy, the performer won’t work hard enough.
What does Realistic mean, when following the SMART principle
It must actually be possible to complete the goal, that the person is physically capable.
What does Time-Bound mean, when following the SMART principle?
It must be set over a fixed period of time.
Name the four types of guidance.
- Visual
- Verbal
- Manual
- Mechanical
What is visual guidance?
Visual guidance is simply when the performer can see something.
Give an example of visual guidance.
An example would be when a performer watches a demonstration of a technique or skill. Another example is watching footage from a DVD, analysis software, or photographs.
What is verbal guidance?
Verbal guidance involves another person (coach or teacher) telling the learner what they are doing right or wrong. It is often used with visual guidance.
Give an example of verbal guidance.
An example of verbal guidance is when a teacher/coach explains what the performer needs to improve or do.
What is manual guidance?
Manual guidance involves physically moving the performer to complete the movement.
Give an example of manual guidance.
The coach supports the performer move through physical touch, or using mechanical aids.
What is mechanical guidance?
Mechanical guidance is when the performer uses mechanical aids to assist performance.
Give an example of mechanical guidance.
Examples of a mechanical aids are:
- Scrum machine (Rugby)
- Arm bands (Swimming)
- Stabilisers (Cycling)
What type of guidance would a beginner use most?
A beginner would use visual guidance to understand what a skill looks like. They would also need some verbal guidance, but this should not be too long or complex. They are also likely to need manual and mechanical guidance to support or guide them through the correct technique.
What type of guidance would an elite performer use most?
An elite performer is most likely to use verbal guidance. It is likely to be more complex and longer than that given to a beginner. It allows for ‘fine-tuning’ of technique.
It is unlikely that they would need visual, manual or mechanical guidance. Unless there is an unexpected flaw in their technique.
State the four types of feedback.
Intrinsic
Extrinsic
Concurrent
Terminal
What is extrinsic feedback?
Extrinsic feedback is information received about performance which comes from outside of the performer.
E.g. Teacher/coach/friends/family
(Very useful for motivating beginners)
