Sports Psychology

Question 1

What is a skilful movement?

Answer 1

A skilled movement is one in which a predetermined object is accomplished with maximum efficiency with a minimum outlay of energy

Question 2

List the characteristics associated with a skilled movement

Answer 2

Efficiency, pre-determined, co-ordinated, fluent, aesthetic, creative, successful technique, controlled, speed, consistent, well learned, confident

Question 3

What are motor skills?

Answer 3

An action or task that has a target or goal and that requires voluntary body and/or limb movement to achieve this goal

Question 4

What are fundamental skills? Give basic examples

Answer 4

They provide the basis for other skills

Throwing, catching, running

Question 5

What is perception?

Answer 5

A complex concept that involves interpretation of stimuli. Not all stimuli are perceived and what is perceived depends on experience and attention ability

Question 6

Give an example of perception

Answer 6

The ability to read the game, anticipate the play

Question 7

What are cognitive skills?

Answer 7

These are skills that involve the intellectual ability of the performer. These skills affect the perceptual process and help us to make sense of what is required in any given situation. They are essential if the performer is to make correct and effective decisions.

Question 8

What does SMART stand for?

Answer 8

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Recorded
Timed

Question 9

What is a closed skill? Give examples

Answer 9

Not affected by surrounding environment making it stable and predictable
Swimmer (diver)
Show jumper (horse rider)

Question 10

What is an open skill? Give examples

Answer 10

Affected by surrounding environment making it unstable and unpredictable
Racing driver
Rugby match
Surfer

Question 11

What is a simple skill? Give examples

Answer 11

No judgments/decisions to make
Taught as a whole
Sprint start (swimming)
Practicing fielding skills (cricket)

Question 12

What is a complex skill? Give examples

Answer 12

Many judgments/decisions to make
Taught in stages
Diving to get the ball in cricket

Question 13

What are performance goals?

Answer 13

These are directly related to the performance or technique of the activity. For example, performance goals in netball or football might be to improve passing or shooting techniques. Performance goals by their nature tend to be more short term than long term

Question 14

Give examples of performance goals

Answer 14

To improve technique of a front somersault in trampolining
To try to stop using a poor golf swing when driving from the tee
To improve running technique in sprinting
To shorten the back swing in a tennis serve in order to be more accurate
To not let lifting techniques go wrong when training with heavier weights

Question 15

What are outcome goals?

Answer 15

These are concerned with the end result, whether you win or lose. Outcome goals in netball or football might be to win an individual game or a tournament. A tennis player who is trying to win the grand slam by winning each open tournament is setting another outcome goal. Outcome goals tend to be medium to long term rather than short term.

Question 16

Give examples of outcome goals

Answer 16

To win the 100 metre race in an athletics competition
To finish the exercise class without stopping
To try to draw level in a cycling race
To win the football league
To get through to the finals of the golf competition

Question 17

Name the four mental preparation techniques

Answer 17

Imagery
Mental rehearsal
Selective attention
Positive thinking

Question 18

What is imagery?

Answer 18

The creation of pictures in our minds. Many people try to get the feeling of movement or capture an emotional feeling. A performer in sport who fells anxious could go to ‘another place’ in their minds to try to calm down

Question 19

What is mental rehearsal?

Answer 19

Mental rehearsal can involve both internal and external imagery. External imagery is when you can picture yourself from outside your body, like watching yourself on film. Internal imagery is when you imagine yourself doing the activity and can stimulate the feelings of the activity

Question 20

What is selective attention?

Answer 20

When performing, being able to concentrate on what is relevant and ignoring irrelevant distractions

Question 21

What is positive thinking?

Answer 21

Sometimes called ‘self-talk’
Involves the participant being positive about past experiences and future efforts by talking to themselves or thinking through how successful they might be. People also sometimes ‘talk themselves out of winning’ - negative self-talk or negative thinking. There are 5 categories of negative self talk:
1. Worry about performance
2. Inability to make decisions
3. Preoccupation with physical feelings
4. Thinking about what will happen if they lose
5. Thoughts of not having the ability to do well

Question 22

How can you mentally prepare?

Answer 22

Relaxation
Self-directed relaxation
Progressive relaxation training (PRT)

Question 23

What are the different types of guidance?

Answer 23

Visual - demonstration
Verbal - describe and explain action
Manual - giving support, often by coach
Mechanical - involves using equipment to support and guide the performer

Question 24

What does kinaesthetic mean?

Answer 24

When you physically feel a movement