l Improve performance l Increase enjoyment l Achieve “Flow” l Other goals? l Improve performance l Increase enjoyment l Achieve “Flow” l Other goals? Goals of Psychological Skills Training Program (PSTP)

l Only for “problem” athletes l Only for “elite” athletes l Provides “quick fix” solutions l Takes away from physical training l Only for “problem” athletes l Only for “elite” athletes l Provides “quick fix” solutions l Takes away from physical training Myths about PSTP

l Initial meeting with athletes &/or coaches –Explain how PST is a tool among many l Sport familiarization / education (for the sport psychologist) l Evaluation and needs assessment examples: what are key mental skills needed? Reason for performance blocks? Potential intervention targets? l Initial meeting with athletes &/or coaches –Explain how PST is a tool among many l Sport familiarization / education (for the sport psychologist) l Evaluation and needs assessment examples: what are key mental skills needed? Reason for performance blocks? Potential intervention targets? A Psychological Skills Training Program (PSTP)

l Interview l Performance profiling –How athlete rates self on key psych skills l Observation l Objective inventories l Interview l Performance profiling –How athlete rates self on key psych skills l Observation l Objective inventories Evaluation tools

l With athlete, devise program for improving weaknesses (using athlete’s strengths if possible) l How will outcomes be evaluated? l With athlete, devise program for improving weaknesses (using athlete’s strengths if possible) l How will outcomes be evaluated? Goal Identification

l Thought-control strategies (e.g., self-talk) l Attentional-focus strategies (e.g., concen- tration control) l Emotion-control strategies (e.g., arousal control, relaxation, imagery) l Behavioral strategies (e.g., goal-setting, simulation) l Performance routine l Thought-control strategies (e.g., self-talk) l Attentional-focus strategies (e.g., concen- tration control) l Emotion-control strategies (e.g., arousal control, relaxation, imagery) l Behavioral strategies (e.g., goal-setting, simulation) l Performance routine Intervention Strategies

l Feedback from athlete, coaches, etc. l Examples of criteria: –Performance –Attitude –Commitment –Personal Development l Reassess goals and modify as necessary l Feedback from athlete, coaches, etc. l Examples of criteria: –Performance –Attitude –Commitment –Personal Development l Reassess goals and modify as necessary Outcome evaluation