Sports psychology

Sports psychology is the study of the psychological influences on, and effects of, participating in sport. There are several key concepts behind sports psychology, as it is usually employed to improve performance. While the methods of applying sports psychology to athletes differ slightly between individual and team sports, the basic principles are the same.

Goal setting and visualisation are important in both team and individual sports, although in team sports the psychology employed has to ensure that the goal is visualised in a uniform manner across the entire team, helping to increase teamwork and efficiency.

Other major factors in sports psychology focus on control, concentration and confidence, essential aspects of an athlete’s psyche if they are to perform to their best. Control is important because without control and athlete can easily lose focus and concentration, and concentration is required to get the most out of a sporting performance: a slip in concentration can cost a competitor a place, a key second, or a crucial pass or game. Confidence is important to maintain, and it is through sports psychology that criticism has been found to play a crucial role in sport: criticism delivered in the wrong way can destroy the effectiveness of an athlete or team, whereas delivered in the right way it is vital to maintaining confidence following a defeat or injury.