Sports Psychology Flashcards
Definition of a skill
a learned action/behaviour with the intention of bringing about predetermined results with maximum certainty and minimum outlay of time and energy
Definition of ability
inherited from your parents, abilities are stable traits that determine an individual’s potential to learn or acquire skills
Example of a skill?
rugby player passing ball
free throw in basketball
Example of ability?
gymnast on beam showing balance
What is a basic skill?
requires few decisions when being performed
little information to process
used in many sports
What is a complex skill?
requires decision making using lots of information
generally sport specific
What is an open skill?
occur in variable and unpredictable environments. Affected by the environment
externally paced
decision making
What is a closed skill?
occur in fixed and predictable situations. Not affected by the environment
self-paced
What is a self-paced skill?
performer controls the start and speed of a skill
no external factors
usually closed skills
What is an externally-paced skill?
performer has no control over the start or speed of the skill
reacting to external factors
usually open skills
What is a gross skill?
uses large muscle groups
not very precise
What is a fine skill?
uses smaller muscle groups
high levels of hand eye coordination
small, precise movements
Example of a self-paced skill
long jump, choose when to start jump
Example of externally-paced skill
receiving badminton serve, only start returning shot after opponent has performed serve
Example of a gross skill
sprinting
Example of a fine skill
archery
What is an outcome goal?
A target that is focussed on winning or social comparison against others
What is a performance goal?
A target that is focussed on improving individual performance or technique
Example of a performance goal?
long distance runner: improve pb by 5 seconds at next event
Example of an outcome goal?
Football player: finish season as league champions
What does SMART stand for?
Specific - to activity and relevant
Measurable - to track progress
Accepted - decided on by all participants
Realistic - work and hobbies affect ability to meet targets
Time-bound - end point as deadline, time scale to stay focused
Define arousal
A physical or mental state of alertness, varying from deep sleep to intense excitement
What does it mean if arousal is too low?
not likely to be driven or motivated enough to perform at optimum level
What does it mean if arousal is too high?
likely to get nervous, anxious or over aggressive
performance quality decreases
How does a higher arousal affect a performer physically?
increase heart rate
increase sweat
What factors increase arousal?
atmosphere
pressure to score
number of supporters
mistakes
How do gross and fine skills affect arousal?
gross skills: optimum arousal would be higher
fine skills: optimum arousal would be lower
Explain the inverted U theory
As arousal increases, so does performance
Up to optimal arousal
If arousal increases further, performance will decrease
What are the stress management techniques?
Positive self talk
Mental rehearsal
Deep breathing
What is positive self talk?
Cognitive method: Giving yourself positive instructions in order to remain focussed on the task
What is mental rehearsal?
Cognitive method: visualise performing the activity or skill successfully to boost confidence
What is deep breathing?
Physical method: Taking slow, deep breaths in order to slow down heart rate and reduce anxiety.
What is aggession?
deliberate intent to harm or injure another person, which can be physical or mental and is used to intimidate opponents
What is direct aggression?
involves physical contact with others
e.g. a punch
What is indirect aggression?
Does not involve physical contact. Aggression taken out on object
e.g. bowling bouncer in cricket to intimidate batsman
Definition of an introvert
A quiet, passive, reserved, shy personality type, usually associated with individual sports performance
Definition of an extrovert
Sociable. active, talkative, outgoing personality type usually associated with team sports players
Introverts prefer sports which involve:
Concentration and precision
self-motivation
intricate skills/ closed skills
perform better with low arousal levels
e.g. archery, golf and snooker
Extroverts prefer sports which are:
Exciting and fast paced
Team sports
Perform better with high arousal levels
large, simple motor skills/ open skills
low concentration
e.g. rugby and boxing
Define motivation
gives reasons for people’s actions, desires and needs. Greatly affects performance
Define intrinsic motivation
Motivation that comes from within, resulting in pride, self satisfaction
Can lead to continued effort and participation
Generally considered more effective than extrinsic motivation
Define extrinsic motivation
Motivation that comes from an outside source such as a coach
Extrinsic rewards result in feelings of pride
Performers may become reliant on extrinsic motivation if overused
Define tangible
something that can be touched
Define intangible
not having physical presence/ can’t be touched
Intrinsic motivation:
a performer is driven to achieve something for…
the feeling it brings them
Extrinsic motivation:
Performer is driven to achieve…
an award
tangible - certificates, trophies, medals
intangible - praise or feedback from others, applause from crowd
Define SUPER
Stronger - intrinsic motivation
Undermine - overuse of extrinsic can undermine intrinsic values
Persist - more likely to persist if intrinsically motivated
Effort - more likely to be sustained if intrinsic
Reliance - Performers become too reliant on extrinsic motivation
How can intrinsic and extrinsic motivation be used together?
Trophy (extrinsic)
pride and self satisfaction from winning (intrinsic)
What is information processing?
using available information in order to make a decision
Define input
information from display
Define selective attention
filtering out irrelevant information from the display
Define decision making
using short and long term memory to make a decision
Define output
information sent to muscles to carry out response
Define feedback
understanding what went right/ wrong during output stage
Define short term memory
lasts for about 18 seconds. A performer can use this to help with decision making
e.g. remembering position of teammate
Define long term memory
Can be used to recall a similar situation in past to come up with correct response in order to perform a skill
e.g. cricket batsman see ball bouncing in certain position and pick out relevant shot to play from long term memory
Define intrinsic feedback
comes from within a performer
Define extrinsic feedback
comes from external source such as coach or teacher
Define positive feedback
encouragement and praise
Define negative feedback
error correction and highlighting what went wrong
Define knowledge of results
feedback received by looking at outcome of skill
Define knowledge of performance
feedback received by looking at technique/performance irrespective of result
What types of feedback are useful to a beginner
extrinsic, positive, knowledge of results
Define visual guidance
guidance through visual demonstration or video
(beginners)
Define verbal guidance
guidance through a verbal explanation
(elite performers)
Define manual guidance
Guidance through actual contact with performer
Define mechanical guidnace
Guidance through the use of a device e.g. harness
(beginners)
Pros of verbal guidance
effective when used in conjunction with other forms
Good for advanced performer
Can be provided during performance and ideal for open skills
Cons of verbal guidance
Explanations must be clear and concise not to confuse learner
must limit amount of information
complex skills difficult to explain
Pros of visual guidance
helps learner visualise skill
can be used in all stage of learning
skills can be broken down into parts
Cons of visual guidance
must be accurate/ technically correct
complex skills can be hard for leaner to comprehend
static visual aids may not provide enough guidance/ information
Pros of manual guidance
used with leaners of all abilities
helps leaner gain kinaesthetic sense of movement
helps build confidence
Cons of manual guidance
learner can become too dependant on it
difficult when working with large groups
Pros of mechanical guidance
effective in early stages
helps leaner gain kinaesthetic sense of movement
helps build confidence
Cons of mechanical guidance
Can become dependant on it
movement experienced with guidance may be different from actual movement
