Synopses & Reviews
Your smart guide to gaining the winning edge with sports psychologyIn sports, mental training and toughness are just as important as physical talent. With practical training techniques and helpful strategies for anyone looking for that winning edge — from athletes and coaches to parents and even businesspeople — this friendly guide to sports psychology will help you take your performance to the next level.
Build mental toughness — learn to bounce back from adversity, be motivated to do your best, and stay calm under pressure
Cope with performance anxiety — find ways to focus your attention on what matters and control your emotions
Use visualization and self-talk — develop positive thought patterns, find out what type of imagery works best for you, and understand when to use it
Develop strategic routines — create practice and competition habits that improve your focus and consistency
Improve team chemistry — work on your communication skills, embrace your role on the team, and take ownership of success and failure
Open the book and find:
How to pull yourself out of a slump
Routines used by professional athletes
Strategies for staying confident, even after a bad game
The qualities of a great team leader
Why pressure is actually a figment of your imagination
What to do when your personal life distracts you from the game
How to handle a conflict with your coach or teammate
Ways to use sports psychology at the office
"A terrific resource for serious competitors. Every encounter that awaits the player and coach is addressed. This book needs to be in every player's locker and on every coach's desk."
—Jim Tressel, Ohio State Football Head Coach
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Synopsis
Mental conditioning is now seen by many to be as critical as physical conditioning to sports success. Sports Psychology For Dummies offers readers a comprehensive program to gain the winning edge, providing training tips and techniques along with helpful advice to keep in mind while competing. Coverage includes how to strengthen concentration (and when you shouldn't concentrate); how to talk yourself into winning; how to develop routines that will lead to consistent improvement; how to regulate your energy to avoid exhaustion; and how you can enhance your team's chemistry through sports psychology. Loaded with real-world examples from amateur and professional sports of all kinds, Sports Psychology For Dummies is essential reading for every athlete, regardless of the reader's sport or competitive level.
Synopsis
Acquiring the winning edge in sports-the mental edgeMental conditioning is now seen by many to be as critical to sports success as physical conditioning. And for parents eager to ensure their children have a winning edge-as well as a future college scholarship-nothing could be more critical to success. This book offers readers a comprehensive program to gain that winning edge, providing training tips and techniques along with helpful advice to keep in mind while competing. With practical advice on how to strengthen concentration (and when you shouldn't concentrate), talk yourself into winning, and develop routines that will lead to consistent improvement, the book's full personalized program will help any athlete gain over time the winning edge in any sport
- With tips on how to regulate your energy to avoid exhaustion; and how to enhance your team's chemistry through sports psychology
- Loaded with real-world examples from amateur and professional sports of all kinds
Applicable to not only sports-but business as well-Sports Psychology For Dummies will enhance any competitor's motivation, focus, and will to win, when facing life's toughest challenges.
About the Author
Leif H. Smith, PsyD, is president of Personal Best Consulting, a sports psychology and performance consultation firm.
Todd M. Kays, PhD, is president of the Athletic Mind Institute, a sports and performance consulting firm.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1Part I: Getting the Winning Edge: Sports Psychology Fundamentals 7
Chapter 1: Introducing Sports Psychology 9
Chapter 2: The Gladiator Mind: Strengthening What’s Under the Helmet 17
Chapter 3: Setting Goals: Aiming High and Hitting the Bull’s-Eye 29
Chapter 4: Stoking the Fire in Your Belly: How to Fan the Flames of Motivation 39
Chapter 5: Swagger: The Art and Science of Building Real Confidence 55
Part II: Your Mental Toolkit for Success 69
Chapter 6: Mastering the Art of Focus 71
Chapter 7: Seeing Is Believing: What You Need to Know about Imagery 87
Chapter 8: Self-Talk: Making Sure You’re Not Yelling in Your Own Ear 105
Chapter 9: Getting a Hold of Your Schedule 119
Part III: Staying Competitive: Sports Psychology in Action 131
Chapter 10: Winning Habits: How Routines Improve Performance in Competition 133
Chapter 11: Handling Pressure: Playing in the Fire without Getting Burned 149
Chapter 12: Staying Strong: The Importance of Managing Energy Levels 165
Chapter 13: Handling Adversity: The Psychological Art of Bouncing Back 181
Part IV: Improving Team Performance with Sports Psychology 199
Chapter 14: Communicating as a Team 201
Chapter 15: Leading Your Team to Victory: Athletes as Leaders 213
Chapter 16: Developing Teamwork 229
Part V: Sports Psychology for Coaches and Parents 243
Chapter 17: Coaching Today’s Athlete 245
Chapter 18: Parenting an Athlete: How to Be More than Just a Fan 263
Part VI: The Part of Tens 281
Chapter 19: Ten Ways You Can Use Sports Psychology at the Office 283
Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Be a Better Competitor 293
Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Manage Stress Better 299
Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Parent an Athlete 309
Index 317