Sport psychology skills - Research Paper Example

Sports Psychology Sports Psychology In today’s sporting world, the importance of a sports psychology is considered as an integral part of coaching that is widely recognized in enhancement of high performance levels. More significantly, the coaches who engage themselves in training athletes in sporting activities, focus on using simple psychological skills during training. This is because, over time, the use of simple psychological skills has helped athletes to manage the competitive performance environment and attain success.

Considerably, it is essential to understand the importance of sports psychology in coaching as it enhances learning and motor skills, attainment of relaxation, concentration, and visualization, mental skills, effective communication and coaching skills. Sport psychology is an integral part to the athlete’s holistic training process as it develops mental skills that enhance performance including relaxation, concentration, and visualization technique (Burton & Raedeke, 2008). Thus, athletes can avoid anxiety, reduce distraction, as attention levels remain high thus, and enhance performance levels.

Psychological skills include strategies relevant in overcoming of difficulties that are experienced within the sporting field as the development of positive attitude and self-confidence is enhanced in overcoming negative thoughts that are more likely to influence the performance levels (Burton & Raedeke, 2008). Sport psychology also help coaches to acquire effective communication and coaching skills that assist in maintenance of life balance, recovery phase of injury and routines during the training process.

Indeed, sports psychology remains as an integral part of sports as it helps in developing skills that help athletes to cope up with competitive pressures. More significantly, sports psychology increases relaxation, visualization and concentration skills that enhance optimal performance, as athletes stay focused in their practices and actual competitions.ReferencesBurton, D. & Raedeke, T. (2008). Sport Psychology for Coaches. Champaign: Human Kinetics.