Award in Sport Psychology

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 further 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, a follow up to Introduction to Sport Psychology, continues to develop a sound theoretical base by examining important socio-psychological factors such as group cohesion, leadership, personality, communication skills, motivation, drug-abuse and more.

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 further knowledge on the psychological aspects of performance in sport. It is suited in particular 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 effects of personality and motivation on sports performance

Unit Content

1. definition of personality and motivation,
2. type A, type B personalities, somato types and personality,
3. the female elite athlete, athletes personalities versus non-athletes,
4. individual versus team sport,
5. intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, theories on motivation, amotivation, motivation techniques,
6. goal-setting, effects on sports performance

Learning Outcome 2; Develop group cohesion and leadership

Unit Content

1. definition,
2. task and social cohesion,
3. creating an effective team climate,
4. factors affecting cohesion, relationship between cohesion and performance;
5. leadership qualities, theories of leadership, trait approach, autocratic, democratic   leadership, selecting a captain

Learning Outcome 3; Use communication skills in sports

Unit Content

1. importance of developing communication skills, listening skills, empathy, verbal and non-verbal communication, confrontation, giving feedback

Learning Outcome 4; Deal with the psychological effects of drug-abuse in sport

Unit Content

1. why do athletes take drugs, most common drugs in sport, World Anti-Doping agency,
2. values in sport, career in sport,
3. Psychological and physical effects of drug-taking, rehabilitation, doping procedures. 

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

Entry requirements:

• 16 years of age

Pre – Requisites

• Introduction to Sport Psychology 

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.