Sport is not only a passion but a risk.
Success in sport depends not only on physical preparation but on an athlete's psychological state.
A sport psychologist is a specialist who helps athletes realise their potential, deal with stress and reach a high level.
THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND CHOOSING A METHOD
The athlete's individual characteristics Personality: level of anxiety, self-confidence, motivation. Previous experience: the successes and setbacks that may have shaped their psycho-emotional state. Learning style: visual, auditory or kinaesthetic.
The specifics of the sport Team sports (football, basketball) may call for developing interaction and teamwork skills, which can involve group techniques. Individual sports (tennis, athletics) may call for work on self-organisation and self-discipline, so methods aimed at developing personal responsibility and mental resilience may be used.
The specific goals Improving concentration: visualization or meditation techniques may help. Reducing stress: relaxation methods and breathing techniques may be used. Building confidence: positive affirmations and work with the inner dialogue may come in here.
The stage of the sporting career The approach with a beginner and with an experienced athlete will differ. Beginners may need more attention paid to building motivation and developing self-regulation skills, while experienced athletes need work on overcoming fears and managing outside pressure.
The stage of preparation Pre-competition preparation: the emphasis is on managing nerves and setting yourself up for success. During competition: techniques for fast recovery, such as visualizing successful actions. Post-competition review: working on mistakes and planning the next steps.
Evidence-based methods and ethics Some methods and techniques have scientific evidence behind their effectiveness. Sport psychologists draw on research in psychology, neuroscience and sport science in order to apply proven approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness methods and others.