Beyond the Book
In addition to what you’re reading right now, this product also comes with a free access-anywhere Cheat Sheet that includes tips on creating your project schedule, shortcut keys, and helpful websites to hone your expertise. To get this Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and type Sports Psychology For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the Search box.
Where to Go from Here
This book isn’t linear — you don’t have to read it from beginning to end, like a novel. Each chapter is self-contained, so you can start anywhere you want, and skip around as you like. You can use the table of contents and index to guide you, but here are a few suggestions for places to begin: If you’re new to sports psychology — you’ve only heard about it but you’ve never practiced any sports psychology techniques — start with Part 1 for a good foundation. If you want to improve in a specific area, like focus or managing pressure, turn to the appropriate chapters in Part 2, where we discuss many mental tools that we have used in our work with athletes over the past 20-plus years. If you want to learn about the current trends and hot topics in sports psychology, then make Part 3 your destination. If you’re looking for ways to improve your team’s performance, Part 4 is for you. And if you’re a parent or coach who wants to use sports psychology to help the athletes in your life, or you want to become a better leader on your team, head to Part 5.
We hope you enjoy using this book to help you accomplish your goals. We also hope you share with us your success stories and accomplishments, and what you’ve found helpful in this book. Feel free to email us directly at [email protected] and [email protected]. You can also find us on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. Just search for our names and stay connected to keep learning how to use the concepts we teach in this book.
Part 1
Getting the Winning Edge: Sports Psychology Fundamentals
IN THIS PART …
Get to know what sports psychology is and its overall application
Learn what your ideal mental profile is for maximum performance
Know and begin to apply the basics of effective goal setting
Understand motivation in sports and learn how to maximize your own
Learn what confidence really is and ways to build your swagger
Chapter 1
Introducing Sports Psychology and Mental Training
IN THIS CHAPTER
You’ve probably heard of elite athletes working with sports psychologists and pro teams having sports psychologists on staff. But what exactly is sports psychology, and is it limited to the pros?
Sports psychology is simply the practical application of psychological principles in a sports setting. It’s used to help an athlete or team improve their performance — and it absolutely isn’t limited to professional athletes. In fact, we’re seeing sports psychology used at all levels of sport. The field of sports psychology provides benefits and knowledge to youth, high school, and college athletes, as well as to coaches, parents, administrators, sports medicine physicians, strength and conditioning coaches, dietitians, and physical therapists. It’s used in the more popular sports — such as soccer, football, golf, and tennis — as well as in lesser-known ones — such as judo, snowboarding, fencing, and cricket. Sports psychology is even being used and applied in the non-sport realms, including medicine, education, business, politics, organizational development, and the military. Its benefits and uses are growing by leaps and bounds throughout the world. It’s an exciting time to be tapping into the benefits of sports psychology!
The good news is that you don’t have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to hire your own personal sports psychologist. With this book in your hands, you have an edge over other athletes and, most important, the ability to reach your highest potential.
Honing Your Sharpest Weapon: Your Mind
The greatest tool that any athlete has is the mind. The brain — that wonderful organ that regulates your breathing, controls your beating heart, and manages the rest of your body — is at the core of all successful sports performances.
Everybody knows that talent and physical skill play an enormous role in every athlete’s success, but not many people understand the importance of the mind and how we use it. In fact, your mind is one of the most powerful pieces of sports equipment you’ll ever own. It can make or break you.
By understanding the power of your mind and being able to use it to your advantage, you can improve your performance. Sports psychology can help you to
Manage performance anxiety
Use visualization and imagery to improve your performance
Increase and maintain your confidence
Improve and maintain your level of motivation
Relax under pressure
Set and achieve goals
Manage your energy levels
Use routines to be consistent in your performance
Bounce back from injuries and setbacks
Manage and address conflicts with coaches and teammates
Focus in critical moments and extend the duration of your concentration
Manage stress and other mental health issues
Better communicate with others
Know yourself better
Knowing how your mind influences your sports performance
Your mind, which is the end product of all the wonderful thinking processes that occur in your physical brain, has a powerful impact on your sports performance. In fact, it has been having that powerful impact previously, even if you weren’t aware of it. Have you ever felt fear before a match, competition, or game? That’s