1. Introduction to Sport Psychology

2. Name: 1 pt Period: 1 pt Date: 1 pt Answer (at least 5 lines): 7 pts What, in your opinion, is the most important quality an athlete should possess?

3. Epic stories: Iliad & Odyssey
“The greatest honor a man can have is what he achieves with his hands and feet.”
-Homer
Ancient Greek poet
Epic stories: Iliad & Odyssey
HERO
Go through quote first. Focus on the idea of honor. Why do you play/compete?

4. Honor
Define it. respect, esteem, distinction, glory, privilege Who are our modern-day heroes?

5. Heroes
Why are they heroes? Their actions speak (what they do with their hands and feet).

6. From the beginnings of human
civilization, the ideals of the great
WARRIOR and those of the great
ATHLETE have shared this common
quality:
HONOR

8. ESPN: Images of the Century
Some of the greatest AND NOT SO GREATEST moments in sport. Really illustrates the distinction between those who “get it” and those who don’t when it comes to sports.

9. What role does Sports Psych have building these modern-day heroes?
Today, we are going to trace the history of this field
Let’s start with some basics

10. What Is a Sport? What’s the difference here?
Play
Recreation
Games
Sport
Let’s define some basic terms…

11. PLAY: an informal activity lacks structure or rules
no defined goal or objective
Often, we engage in PLAY simply to pass the time.
Example: Snowball fight

12. RECREATION: Purpose: diversion or fitness step up from play
may have defined goal (like getting in shape)
lacks formal structure, rules, or the ability to “win”
rules are internally created (not formal)
Example: Snowboarding

13. GAMES: more formal, organized internal AND external rules
Often, the goal is to win
Do NOT have institutionally structured framework, like tournaments or leagues
Ex. Pick-up basketball game

14. SPORT: competitive activity (involving at least 2 competitors)
requires physical skill
formal rules
occurs within an organizational framework
Ex. High school basketball

16. Brief History of Sports
For as long as people have been around, they have been trying to outdo each other…Why?
Cave art from 30,000 years ago shows evidence of ancient archery contests.

17. Sumaria, 3000 BC: evidence of formal boxing and wrestling

18. Ancient Greece: ballgames and swimming contests
Ephedrismos: described by Pollux (IX, 119), the game involves throwing balls or pebbles at a stone in an attempt to overturn it. The player who fails to do so is blindfolded and must run to touch the stone while carrying the winner on his back.

19. Ephedrismos…
Goal: throw balls at a stone & try to overturn it.
Losers: blindfolded & have to run to touch the stone carrying the winner on your back!

20. Sports Why compete? What does sports participation teach you?
Discipline, making good choices, perseverance, goal-setting…
all positive VIRTUES!
Honor…pride…you bring yourself and others/teammates, nation, school

21. This idea was shared by the ancient Greeks
“The education of the body must precede that of the intellect.” -Aristotle, philosopher Died 323 B.C.

22. Aristotle
Physical education is an ESSENTIAL part of human development for everyone
From infancy, start to build the physical body…body first, the soul (virtue) comes next
Sports teach you lessons that build positive character

23. The modern idea of an “amateur” athlete came from the Greek tradition.
Should PE/team sports be a part of public schools?
What do you think? Pros? Cons?
WHOLE person education
Physical fitness/athletic competitions were essential part of human development…for everyone.

24. Ancient Greece : Olympics
Beginning in 2500 BC
Men only
Track and field events: sprinting, long distance running, discus throw, javelin throw, long jump
Combat events: boxing, wrestling, and…
pun-kra-tea-on
pan- as in 'pun' kra- as in 'gra' in 'grass' ti- as in tea on- as in 'on' pun-kra-tea-on pan- as in 'pun' kra- as in 'gra' in 'grass' ti- as in tea on- as in 'on'

25. Pankration (pun-gra-tea-on)
Real player: plankration at UFC Gym Los Angeles

26. Pankration (pun-gra-tea-on) “game of all powers”
Maybe an Olympic sports again?

27. Ancient Rome Version of sports different from that of the Greeks
Developed the idea of professional athlete
Mainstream Roman citizens participated as spectators
Most famous of their athletic contests: gladiator fights

28. Roman Gladiators Real player: Gladiator trailer, Ben Hur Movie Clip

29. Gladiator…Hollywood style

30. Chariot Races…Ben Hur

31. Modern Sports Hundreds of sports to choose from
Participation from early childhood through adulthood
Both the amateur and professional levels

32. Modern sports
Amateur: not paid (ex. NCAA athletes), may receive scholarships (stripped of status if they accept $)
Professional: paid (median $43,740/2010), can sponsor commercial products

33. 2012 statistics http://ftw. usatoday

36. Blurred lines Example:
US Gymnastics: considered amateur but can sponsor commercial products ($ must be placed in a trust)
Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas

37. The modern Olympics Used to be amateur only Why change?
$$$ (more viewers)
Eastern bloc (1980’s) already “professional”
Ex. USA Hockey Lake Placid (1980) amateurs vs Russian professionals
(“Do you believe in miracles?)
1992 Barcelona…the American Dream Team
Won other teams by 44 points average.

38. USA Dream Team 1992
Jordan, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullins, David Robinson, Charles Barkley

39. Controversy: Should student athletes be paid?
YES NO
Share in profit? Big $ (2013 NCAA “March Madness” made CBS & Turner Broadcasting $1 B)
Division 1 scholarship $25,000 year (covers basics); stay 4 years?
Full-time job (on the road, practice, games + school)
Benefits school (recruitment)
Receive education & exposure to professional teams
Too expensive
Not all sports are profitable (BB & FB make up for swimming, tennis, VB)

41. Two Branches of Sport Psychology
Basic research: The study of the mind and mental factors that influence performance in sport
Applied research: The application of this knowledge to improve performance
Basic vs. applied

42. Scientific Approach of Sport Psychology
Concepts and techniques presented in this class are a result of a lot of scientific research into the most effective principles for improving performance
1898: Norman Triplett, psychologist from Indiana University
Found that cyclists performed significantly better when competing than when alone
Audience effect on cycling performance

43. History
1925: first scientific laboratory for studying sport psychology
Coleman Robert Griffiths
“Father of Sport Psychology”
University of Illinois
Worked as first professional sport psych clinician (Chicago Cubs)
Wrote first textbooks on sport psychology
Psychology and Coaching
Psychology of Athletics

44. History
Nothing more happening in Sport Psychology until 1967 when NASPSPA was created. (North American Society for the Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity) *Pushed through many important discoveries & advanced understanding of the mind of the athlete

45. History
20 years later, American Psychological Association (APA) took over … AAASP
(Association for the Advancement of Applied Psychology)
*Took over most of the responsibility for the Sports Psych movement

46. Why was there a sudden rise of interest in studying sport psychology starting in the 1960s?
Athletes & players looking for new ways to improve performance.
Modern Olympic movement (national pride)
Big business
Public fascination with fitness; every-day people can apply these techniques too

47. Careers
College or professional sports teams: helping athletes improve and reach potential
Private practice : one-on-one treatment
Researchers: experiment to advance understanding and produce new techniques

48. Education/Training Most have Ph.D. in Psychology or Sport Psychology
Fewer universities offer degrees specifically in Sport Psychology
If not: get a degree in Clinical Psychology, specialize in Sport Psychology
Masters Degree (Work in field, most likely with someone with a Ph.D.)
Coach: Masters Degree in either Exercise Physiology or Sport Psychology
Offers both Master’s degree & Ph.D.

49. Sports Psychologist: your new ally

50. Importance of Sports Psych

51. The importance of Sports Psychology
The mental game, as important as the physical. “Thoughts become things… The mind/body connection…you become what you believe.”
Real player: Olympics The Importance of Sports Psychology

52. Sport Psychologist Nicole Deitling Miller, Ph.D. (U of U)
“Mental coach is more descriptive of what we do that the term ‘sport psychologist.’”

53. Sport Psychologist Nicole Deitling Miller, Ph.D. (U of U)