Sports Psychology

Question 1

What does SMART stand for? - elaborate on these meanings

Answer 1

Specific - Target should relate to the performer
e.g. to their component of fitness such as agility, body part, energy system, their sport/position in sport

Measurable - So they can establish an objective and know if they have achieved their goal
e.g. improve a fitness test result/time

Accepted - athlete must value what the goal is, coach and athlete must be on the same page

Realistic - goal must be within reach, but still challenging
e.g. if the goal is too ambitious, not achieving it may lead to a lack of motivation

Time-bound - Goal has a deadline
Not too long-term (4-12 weeks) to allow a central focus on the goal

Question 2

What acronym must be applied when athletes want to set targets?

Answer 2

SMART

Question 3

Define Skill

Answer 3

A learned action, aiming to execute a predetermined outcome repeatedly with the same level of success

Question 4

Define Ability

Answer 4

Inherited, stable trait that determines an individual’s potential to learn a skill

Question 5

What’s a basic skill?

Answer 5

A skill which is quickly learned as there are very few
decisions to be made when performing the skill e.g. Jumping

Question 6

What’s a complex skill?

Answer 6

A skill which requires a lot of decision making,
requiring a high level of coordination and thinking e.g. high jump

Question 7

What’s an open skill?

Answer 7

A skill which is performed in a certain way to deal
with a changing or unstable environment e.g. Tackling in football

Question 8

What’s a closed skill?

Answer 8

A skill which is not affected by the environment - performed in a stable environment

Question 9

What’s a self-paced skill?

Answer 9

The start of the skill (and rate) is controlled by the performer e.g. putting in golf

Question 10

What’s an externally-paced skill?

Answer 10

The start of the skill (and rate) is controlled by the environment e.g. start of 100m sprint started by the gun/official

Question 11

What’s a gross skill?

Answer 11

Using large muscle groups to perform big, strong,
powerful movements

Question 12

What’s a fine skill?

Answer 12

Using a small group of muscles to perform a small and precise movement, showing high levels of accuracy and coordination

Question 13

What are the features of performance goals?

Answer 13

• No external comparison (internal comparison only - personal best)
• Technique Based (technology for video feedback)
• Key Performance indicators
• Controllable (e.g. serve accuracy)
• Usually based on short to medium term goals (to prevent tedium)

Question 14

What are the features of outcome goals?

Answer 14

• Judged by end result
• External comparison
• Can succeed without good performance
• Not directly controllable
• Usually based on long-term targets (e.g. winning the league)

Question 15

Should beginners use outcome goals or performance goals? - why?

Answer 15

• performance goals
• this will help them to focus on aspects of their technique to refine as they gain experience in the sport
• Not outcome goals as failure to meet these may cause a loss of motivation as they are unrealistic for beginners

Question 16

Should Elite Athletes use outcome goals or performance goals? - why?

Answer 16

• outcome goals to drive them to win
• they are more likely to have the resilience for this to keep motivated if they do not meet their goal
• they don’t need as many performance goals as they are very experienced and already have good technique
• although, performance goals may be good as short-term targets as stepping stones to boost motivation and help them reach their long-term outcome goal

Question 17

Define motivation

Answer 17

The drive to achieve something

Question 18

Explain intrinsic motivation

Answer 18

• Drive from within
• Comes from you due to enjoyment and satisfaction
• Personal challenge
• Personal achievement
  Leads to participation
  Very powerful

Question 19

Explain extrinsic motivation

Answer 19

• Drive to perform/win/gain external rewards that can be…
• Tangible: Physical rewards, prizes, money
  or
• Intangible: Recognition, fame, praise

Negative: Performers can become reliant on rewards and recognition
Positive: Can cause pride

Question 20

Define arousal

Answer 20

A physical and mental state of alertness, varying
from deep sleep to intense excitement/alertness

Question 21

What are the type of guidance?

Answer 21

Visual:
Good for beginners
e.g. a video/demonstration
Provides a mental picture
Although, may not be accurate

Verbal:
e.g. coaching points
Specific/can be individualised
Although, it is time consuming and may overwhelm if too much information is given

Manual:
Physically guiding someone
Ensures correct technique
Great for beginners
Although, it is not good for groups and involves permission

Mechanical:
Use of aids and objects
e.g. cones/harness in trampolining
Increases confidence and safety
Although, performers can become reliant on the aid and can be expensive

Question 22

Briefly describe intrinsic and extrinsic feedback

Answer 22

Intrinsic:
- From the performer
- Feels the skill
- Kinaesthetic
- Adjusts to get skill right

Extrinsic:
- From an outside source
- Coaching points

Question 23

What’s direct aggression? - with an example

Answer 23

An aggressive act that involves physical contact with others
e.g. tackle in rugby/punch in boxing/shoulder barge in football

Question 24

What’s indirect aggression? - with an example

Answer 24

An aggressive act which is taken out on an object to gain an advantage
e.g. Hitting the ball really hard in tennis

Question 25

Describe introverts in sport

Answer 25

• Shy, quiet, thoughtful
• Individual sports
• Low arousal sports
• Fine skills

Question 26

Describe extroverts in sport

Answer 26

• Sociable, interactive, aroused by others, bored easily
• Team sports
• Perform better when concentration requirement is lower
• Gross skills