Award in Sport Psychology – Introduction

Sports performers seeking a competitive edge know that sport psychology plays an important role in maximizing performance. 

A number of factors need to be explored in order to understand the importance of psychological preparation and control in individual and team sports. Sports performance needs not only technical preparation. It is also important that the athlete is motivated, can control arousal levels, has the appropriate focus and is mentally prepared for competition.  It is the role of the sport psychologist as well as coaches to develop these skills with the performer and teach them when to apply them.

This unit develops the learner’s knowledge and skills so that they can apply them to personal performance and to the performance of other performers. Psychological skills can be applied to training and competition, and can be used with all levels of performer.

This course develops a sound theoretical base by examining important psychological factors such as arousal and anxiety regulation, group dynamics, concentration, visualization techniques and more. Learners will be able to plan psychological skills training programmes and individual sessions.

This is a 16 hr guided learning course.  Students need to invest further hours in the course, which will include private study and home assignments.

Lessons are held as indicated on the prospectus and website.

This short course offers individuals interested in sport and exercise the opportunity to gain more knowledge on the psychological aspects of performance in sport. It is especially tailored for athletes, coaches, sport administrators and PE teachers. The taught skills may also be used in other performance related areas as well as in the individual’s everyday life. The course will help individuals develop particular skills such as anxiety management, positive self-talk and concentration skills.

Learning Outcome 1; Describe what sport psychology can and cannot do for the performer                      

Unit Content

1. what is sport psychology,
2. what is the role of the sports psychologist,
3. assessment methods,
4. psychological skills training programmes,
5. sport psychology myths

Learning Outcome 2; Outline the relationship between stress, anxiety, arousal and performance

Unit Content

1. definitions of stress, anxiety and arousal,
2. theories on the subject,
3. effects of anxiety on sports performance,
4. choking under pressure,
5. relaxation techniques,
6. cognitive, somatic, trait, state anxiety, pressure training

Learning Outcome 3; Build group dynamics

Unit Content

1. group processes,
2. stages of team building,
3. Steiner’s model of group effectiveness,
4. Ringelmann effect,
5. social loafing, desire for group success,
6. team building activities

Learning Outcome 4; Implement various skills such as visualization, positive self-talk and goal-setting skills and how these can aid performance

Unit Content

1. concentration, attention style requirements, concentration theories, visualization theories,
2. what is imagery rehearsal, brain processes during imagery rehearsal, imagery training programmes,
3. injuries, psychological effects of injuries,
4. goal-setting programmes, process and outcome goals, subjective and objective goals,
5. positive self-talk techniques, cognitive restructuring, thought stopping

Learning Outcome 5; Plan  a psychological skills training programme to enhance sports performance

Unit Content

1. Assess psychological strengths and weaknesses of the individual,
2. identify psychological demands of the sport,
3. make an action plan with details of plan, include psychological skills such as arousal control, breathing techniques, pre-performance routines, relaxation techniques, visualization and goal-setting techniques, positive self-talk, psyching up. 

The following are the suggested pre-requisites and/or entry requirements needed:

Entry Requirements:

• 16 years of age 

Course participants may be awarded either an MCAST Certificate of Attendance or an MCAST Certificate of Achievement.

MCAST Certificate of Attendance

• An MCAST Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to those candidates who attend at least 80% of the lessons.

MCAST Certificate of Achievement

• An MCAST Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to those candidates who satisfy the 80% attendance criteria and also choose to sit and pass the course assessment/s.
• Students who opt not to sit for the assessment or fail (the assessment/s) will however be awarded the MCAST Certificate of Attendance provided that they fulfill the minimum attendance criteria as stated above.

If the student intends to obtain a Certificate of Achievement, she/he is required to sit for an assessment/s.  Assessment/s may take various forms such as a home assignment, class assignment, practical test and time constrained test.  However, the assessment/s is not compulsory and an applicant may choose not to sit for it.

There are no additional costs or special materials/equipment to bring.