Psychology in Sports Coaching: Theory and Practice - Paperback

by Adam R. Nicholls (Author)

The most effective coaches understand the fundamentals of sport psychology, which include interacting effectively with athletes, creating the optimal environment, assessing the psychological needs of their athletes, and providing them with the mental training required to maximise performance.

Fully revised and updated, the third edition of Psychology in Sports Coaching clearly and accessibly introduces the principles and practice of sport psychology in the context of the coaching process. Drawing on the very latest research and theory, the book introduces the psychological tools and techniques that coaches can use to get the best performances out of their athletes. Including three new chapters on the constraints approach to assessing psychological needs, mental imagery, managing perfectionism tendencies, and mentoring leaders, the book also offers step-by-step guidance on key topics such as:

• Assessing the needs of athletes
• Facilitating awareness through goal setting and performance profiling
• Coaching specialist populations effectively (e.g. children, adolescents, adults and athletes with learning disabilities)
• Reducing favourable attitudes towards doping
• Developing effective coach-athlete relationships
• Reducing choking under pressure
• Mindfulness techniques
• Mental imagery

Every chapter contains useful features to aid learning and understanding, including in-depth case studies, critical thinking questions, clear and concise summaries, and practice exam questions. Psychology in Sports Coaching is essential reading for any student of sports coaching, or any practising coach looking to extend and develop their skills, and useful applied reading for students of sport psychology.

Author Biography

Adam R Nicholls is based in the Department of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science, at the University of Hull, UK. His primary research is related to stress, appraisal, and coping among athletes, which is reflected in his publications. Prof. Nicholls has published more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and is a Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the Health, Care, and Professions Council. He currently serves as an Associate editor for Frontiers in Psychology, and sits on the editorial board for the International Journal of Sport Psychology.