In part one we looked at James Loehr’s (1982) model of the Ideal Performance State which gave us a brief insight into the power of the mind-body connection. We came to understand that fear is an emotion that we attach to a certain situation based purely on our perception of that situation or of a […]
Conflict within a team sports at both amateur and elite level is a likely occurrence at some point! Conflict can arise among members of sports teams which may negatively impact individual and team performance (Laious & Tzetzis, 2005). Moreover, team development theories (Gesick, 1988, 1989; Tuckman, 1965) suggest that team conflict has important influences on […]
A Team-Building Intervention Whether it is on or off the playing field, effectively dealing with conflict goes a long way in determining success. Once teams successfully overcome conflict, trust develops between team members, leading to higher levels of team cohesion and greater team effectiveness (Teklab et al., 2009). A team building workshop is one intervention […]
Preparation is something that is key within sport and is also something that most people involved in, or even regularly watching sport will be very familiar with. Preparation comes in many different forms across a variety of sports, but the overall process, regardless of the sport and individuals or teams involved, is effectively the same. […]
After witnessing a schoolgirl aged 12 with two prosthetic blades running in a High School Sports Day 100m event in front of the entire school without any leveling distance advantage, it has only furthered my own interest into the motivation in disabled sport. So! What possesses her to take on such a challenge? Being in […]
We’ve all seen or heard of elite sports people performing ritual movements before competitions, from a 100m runner blessing themselves before a race, to a footballer with his lucky pants or the Golfer with his favourite putter. From the outside looking in it may seem odd and strange; however in all sports, superstitions and rituals […]
In the United Kingdom around 70% of the adult population fail to meet the guideline amounts for physical activity (Adams & White, 2005). The current recommendations, as set out by the UK Physical Activity Guide 2010, and based upon research such as Turner-Warwick et al. (1991) are that adults should participate in a minimum of […]
More and more factors such as anxiety, depression, anger, worry, and frustration just to name a few are becoming the norm in not just elite level and professionals sport but even sport at a recreational level. Sports psychologists are in ever increasing demand to deal with these issues with performers often explaining how they want […]
In working with athletes on emotional control especially as it concerns emotional intelligence I frequently need to help athletes cope with situations in which they say they choked. In my opening of many of my speeches I often begin by telling people “Basically I help people in sports and business, Not Choke” It is a […]
For athletes: How to create your own Performance Bubble… Pre-performance routines are the most effective means for you to control arousal levels, achieve flow, and reduce the likelihood of choking. If you find it difficult to cope with situational variables at competitions, a pre-performance routine will enable you to keep aspects of your performance consistent […]