Integrating and Implementing a Psychological Skills Training Program Chapter 16 Integrating and Implementing a Psychological Skills Training Program Robert S. Weinberg and Jean M. Williams Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Are Psychological Interventions Effective in Improving Sport Performance? Of 45 studies on psychological skills training (PST) programs, 85% found positive performance effects Athletes from Olympic level down report that mental training and discipline play a huge part in their success No ready-made solutions on how coaches and sport psychologists (SP) can integrate and implement a PST program Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Who Will Benefit From PST? Not just for elite athletes! appropriate for all athletes!!! Ideal time for implementing PST may be with beginning sport participants Young athletes may need adjustments such as: fewer goals shorter training sessions simpler verbal instruction turning the exercises into games Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Who Should Conduct PST Programs? Ideal if qualified consulting sport psychologist plans, implements, and supervises PST rarely feasible except at higher levels of competition Also coach’s responsibility to provide PST Coaching staff should attend most or all of initial group training sessions when SP conducted Tells athletes it’s important SP can’t be at all training sessions and competitions Fewer content misunderstandings Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Creating Positive Therapeutic Outcomes SP consultants felt the three most important characteristics for an effective consultant: Building a connection with the athlete to create positive change A professional consulting relationship with the athlete, Assuring that the consulting relationship meets the needs of the athlete Be adaptive in your approach Counseling competencies… Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Counseling Competencies Recognize limits of competency or expertise Respect confidentiality Recognizing how one’s own values and biases may impact psychological processes Make appropriate referrals Understand the athlete culture and influence of the athletic environment on athletes Consider cultural differences (i.e. ethnic and racial diversity and sexual orientation) Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

When to Implement a PST Program Best time is during the off season or preseason Least desirable time is after the competitive season has started Continue PST as long as athlete competes Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

When Should Athletes Practice Psychological Skills? Better to have mental training practice occur under someone’s supervision The first or last 15 to 30 minutes of practice, 3-5 days per week Progressive method of practice Practicing mental skills should become an integral part of all physical practices Training program does not appear to be something extra Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Time Spent on the PST Program First formal exposure, 3-6 months common The sport, time available, existing mental skills, and commitment of individuals are all factors to consider in determining actual length of time As soon as possible, integrate PST with physical skills practice Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Setting Up PST Program Self-regulation = People manage their own behaviors that are directed toward specific goals Goal setting, planning, observing, evaluating behaviors, etc. 5 phases of self-regulation: Problem identification Commitment to change Execution of self-regulated change Manage the environment Generalization Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Setting Up Program: Do’s and Don’ts Explain what sport psychology is and how it benefits the athlete A method to improve, not just seeing a “shrink” Educate on your approach Emphasize that PST does not mean something psychologically wrong with them No different than staying after practice to work on an important skill Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Setting Up Program: Emphasize Importance of Mental Training In an initial meeting with athletes, you must convincing them of the need for systematic mental training Ask athletes what percentage of their game is mental Provide anecdotes from sport Temper expectations - that no amount of mental training will substitute for poor mechanics, lack of practice, or limited physical aptitude Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Setting Up Program: Assess Psychological Strengths and Weaknesses Assess with needs assessment Oral interview Written psychological inventories Behavioral observation Provide written feedback to athlete on strengths and weaknesses Recommend the type of skills/intervention program Critical that athlete accepts the needs assessment Performance profiling Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Benefits of Performance Profiling SP Perspective Athlete Perspective Provides a basis for goal setting Identifies athlete mental strengths and weaknesses Raises athlete awareness Evaluates and monitors athlete performance Facilitates discussion, communication, and interaction within teams Raises self-awareness Helps decide what to work on Motivates to improve sets goals Monitors and evaluates performance Encourages more responsibility for development Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Determine Skills and Sequencing How much practice time will be given on average each week to mental skills training? How many weeks of practice are available? Will there still be time to practice mental skills after the competitive season starts, or after the first couple of losses? How interested are the athletes in receiving mental skills training? Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Mental Skills for Athletes Basic and necessary psychological skills These skills lead to exceptional athletic performance Maturational markers Collective qualities of the team – impacts team environment and team success Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Evaluation of Program Effectiveness Provides SP and coaches with information needed to modify their programs Allows consumers to give feedback Only way to objectively judge whether the program achieved its goals Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

How Evaluate Effectiveness Continuously AND a formal total evaluation at the end of the program Asses strengths and weaknesses of the content and delivery of sessions, especially team sessions Include team and individual discussions and written evaluations by the athletes and coaches Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Practical Pointers Provide the What, Why, When, and How of training Beginning of session: Outline purpose, content, and length At end and after practicing each exercise: Time for discussion and questions Stress Personal Responsibility Peak performance is not mysterious; it is a product of the body and mind, both of which can be controlled Be Flexible and Individualized Introduce a variety of techniques - no fixed pattern Individualize and modify combinations of techniques Provide handouts, cassettes, or CD recordings. , Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Practical Pointers (cont.) Use Goal Setting and Journal Assignments Individualize goals Encourage recording discoveries and successful strategies Pre-competition and Competition Plans Create ideal performance state typically associated with peak performance IN competition Help athletes arrange their internal and external worlds so they are in control Stress Application to Other Life Pursuits Can use the skills in daily life Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Practical Pointers (cont.) Practice It Before Teaching It Personal experience increases one’s ability to teach a specific technique or answer questions Teach by Example Coaches and SP consultants should be role models Observe Practices and Competitions Whenever Possible Provides insights, shows caring, and gains trust of athletes. Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Practical Pointers (cont.) Emphasize Strengths as Competition Nears Build athlete’s confidence Monitor Your Behavior Ask someone else to observe and evaluate SP’s behavior Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Ethical Considerations for the Coach and SP Consultant Researchers identified four classifications of behaviors that were difficult ethical situations: Conflicts with confidentiality Conflicts between personal values and professional ethics Conflicts with dual relationships Conflicts with self-presentation or advertising Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Potential Problem Areas Overcoming player reluctance about participating in a mental training program. Spending too little time with individual athletes in a team setting. Gaining the trust of the athletes. Making sure athletes systematically practice their skills. Lacking knowledge about the specific sport. Maintaining contact with athletes throughout a competitive season. Getting full cooperation from the coaching staff or organization. Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.