Sports Psychology Flashcards
What are the two types of motivation?
Extrinsic and intrinsic
What is extrinsic motivation and give an example.
It is when you gain external reinforcement, earning a reward/ avoid punishment.
For example, money, trophy, fame or good grades
What is intrinsic motivation and give an example.
A behaviour that is driven by internal rewards.
For example, satisfaction, mateship, improvements, passion or enjoyment.
What makes you mentally tough (SCAMS)?
Self-confidence Concentration Arousal regulation Motivation Stress management
What are strategies to become mentally tough?
Goal setting Relaxation techniques Imagery Performance routine Self-talk (positive)
What are the two types of stress? Describe them
Eustress: beneficial stress that motivates or helps you focus your energy. It is short term, perceived to be in our coping abilities, feels citing and improves performance. Eg. Strength workout
Distress: it is not beneficial and can cause anxiety or concern, feels unpleasant, decreases your performance and can lead to mental and physical problems. Eg. Illness or injury
Describe the relationship between arousal and performance.
Arousal is mental alertness. When under-aroused your performance is limited and when over-aroused your performance will be damaged.
Peak performance is optimal
Under-aroused is left of peak performance
Over-aroused is right of the peak performance
Your athlete is underperforming due to low arousal levels, explain three strategies to increase arousal and performance.
Help them set achievable goals
Have them imagine perfecting the skill
Give them a positive talk
Describe the relationship between arousal and performance when completing an easy task compared to a hard task.
When completing a hard task your arousal levels are lower to produce and optimal performance.
When completing an easy task your arousal levels need to be higher to produce and optimal performance.
Eg. Kicking a ball into the goals with a goalkeeper vs kicking a ball into the goals.
Why does an athletes arousal levels increase to be at an athletes optimal performance if they were a novice, intermediate or advanced athlete?
Because in order for an advanced player to have an optimal performance, they need to beat their personal best. Their personal best will be a lot better than a novices personal best and therefore need higher arousal levels.
How would an athlete feel if they were under-aroused?
Legarthy Apathy Easily distracted Indifference to a poor performance Low motivation
How would an athlete feel if they were over-aroused?
Nervous/butterflies Anxious Nausea Elevated heart rate Reduced ability to concentrate on relevant stimulus
How would you increase your arousal levels?
Breathing: short, sharp and deep breaths
Self-talk: positive and motivational words to lift arousal
Music: promotes enthusiasm, up tempo
Imagery: energetic performance, visualise perfection
Pre-Comp activities: warm-up, activity before the game
Pre-game psych-up: motivational address from captain/coach
How would you decrease arousal levels?
Progressive muscle relaxation: tensing then releasing muscle groups
Breathing control: breathe deeply, muscle tension decreases (box breathing)
Biofeedback: heart monitor, sweat, blood pressure
Meditation: relaxation and concentration, quiet place
Auto genic training: hypnosis, mental exercises
What is the difference between relevant and relevant cues?
Relevant cues are cues that help you to perform at your best and irrelevant cues are cues that may distract you from performing. Relevant cue stay Be sight, touch or sound.
What is your “optimal performance”?
Tactical skills: correct strategies & tactics given the strength & weaknesses of the team
Psychological skills: appropriate level of mental skills required to succeed
Physiological prep: developing appropriate energy systems & physical attributes
Technical skills: necessary skills to play at that level
What makes a mentally tough athlete, a mentally tough athlete?
They have the ability to focus and concentrate
They are able to rebound from failure
They are able to deal with pressure
They are able to persist against adversity
What are the four C’s of mental toughness?
Control: influence a given situation
Commitment: strive towards a goal
Confidence: believe that they will succeed
Challenge: see challenge as an opportunity
What are the three phases or psychological skills training?
Education phase: players are made aware of how to benefit psychological skills
Acquisition phase: learn how specific skills will benefit them
Practice phase: skills are regularly practiced
What are the benefits of mental skills?
Improved self-confidence Improved emotional control Increased motivation Improved concentration Positive approach towards a given task