Sport Psychology: Theory to Application

Gobinder Singh Gill

Introduction

• The role of Sport Psychology

• Sport Psychology and India

• Sport Psychology in Action

• Future ways forward

The Role of Sport Psychology

• To enhance performance levels

• To practice mental skills

• To increase direction and focus

• To increase self-confidence

• To enhance group dynamics

• To deal with injury

• To deal with counselling

Key Areas of Sport Psychology

• Goal Setting• Emotional

Control• Aggression• Group Cohesion• Concentration• Leadership

• Emotional Intelligence

• Mental Toughness• Psychological

Skills• Self-Confidence• Motivation• Stress

Management

Sport Psychology and India

• Current practice of sport psychology is not as established in comparison to other nations (e.g. Australia and USA)

• Given that India is home of Yoga this is interesting as both have parallels

• However, growth within sport psychology should increase within the next 5-10 years

Model of Learning

Client

Consultation

Feedback

Mental Preparation

Sport Psychology in Action

• Current work with Coventry City Ladies FC (UK)

• Involves performance profiling to provide base

• One to one consultation to enhance mental preparation

• Provide worksheets and performance cue-cards to raise awareness

• Use Twitter and Facebook to leave positive messages

• Develop emotional skills to handle pressure• Maintain email contact to provide

resources/workbooks• Conduct both individual and group work

Future Ways Forward

Raise awareness of sport psychologyEnhance knowledge of sport psychologyDevelop workshops to support process of sport psychologySuggest good practice within sport psychology Dispel myths of sport psychology

Summary• Sport psychology is useful for enhancing sports

performance.• Managing stress and pressure can be supported

through the use of psychological skills.• Mental preparation should be practised consistently

by performers.• Mental toughness is central to enhancing mind-set.• Engaging in sport psychology can lead to increased

focus. • Teams should work on setting up workshops and

seminars to increase awareness of sport psychology.