Think about your favourite sport. Now ask yourself how much of success in that sport is down to physical skills and how much is down to mental skills? We all know that physical skills are vital for performance and understand about training them. We know that psychology is important too, but what people actually do to understand and train in it is less well known. Sport Psychology: A complete introduction gives you the answers, explaining everything you need to know in one place. Structured in two parts, theory and application, part one defines the idea of personality and covers essential psychological traits, including mental toughness, confidence, motivation, stress and character. Part two covers topics such as assessment, skills training, coping techniques, building concentration and working with coaches and teams. You will also find substantial coverage of measurement questionnaires, skills and routes to practice. As well as learning about how the mind works and how that has an impact on sporting performance, you will discover what sport psychologists actually do to improve a performer's psychological skills and mindset. Sport psychology used to be simply about performance. Now, the role of the sport psychologist is more holistic and includes athlete wellbeing, working with coaches and support teams, and operating at a more organizational level. Whether you are a student, interested in sport and sport performance as a professional practice, or involved in sport at any level, Sport Psychology: A complete introduction is your go-to guide.

The new third edition of A Critical Introduction to Sport Psychology is the only textbook in the field that provides a detailed overview of key theories, concepts and findings within the discipline of sport psychology, as well as a critical perspective that examines and challenges these core foundations. Fully revised and updated, the new edition covers key research findings affecting both participation and performance in sport, including topics such as motivation, anxiety, emotional coping, concentration, mental imagery, expertise and team cohesion. In addition, the book includes a range of helpful features that bring the science to life, including critical thinking exercises, suggestions for student projects and new "In the spotlight" boxes that highlight key advances in theory or practice. A comprehensive glossary is also included, whilst a final chapter examines some new horizons in sport psychology, including embodied cognition and socio-cultural perspectives. Sport is played with the body but often won in the mind; that is the theory. A Critical Introduction to Sport Psychology is the definitive textbook for anyone wishing to engage critically with this fascinating idea.

An INTRODUCING PRACTICAL GUIDE to optimizing your mind for sports

"An excellent text to offer more depth on theories and concepts within Sports Psychology and provide learners with a greater understanding of current psychological theories. The text helps in enforcing knowledge gained and also provides a plethora of references for further reading around any of the chapters covered within the text." - John Harrison, Tyne Metropolitan College "This book provides a good introduction to sports psychology, and enables students to obtain a basic understanding of the key concepts. I will recommend this book to my level 4 students." - Marie Robbins, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education "Provided an excellent synthesis of key topics in sport psychology. The content draws upon leaders in the field both from a research and applied sport psychology perspective." - Andrew Balsdon, Canterbury Christ Church University This book provides a focused, accurate guide for students working within the dynamic field of sport psychology. The concise and authoritative entries have been selected by experienced teachers and researchers; each one defines, explains and develops a key topic in sport psychology acting as a springboard for further reading and debate. This is a stimulating and practical resource for students defined by the clarity of writing and relevant examples. Each concept gives the student: clear definitions up-to-date suggestions for further reading careful cross-referencing. Easy to use and intelligently judged this book offers the modern student the basic materials, tools and guidance for planning essays and passing exams.

Understanding and applying psychology within youth sport settings is key to maximising young athletes’ enjoyment, wellbeing, and sporting performance. Written by a team of leading international researcher-practitioners, this book is the first to offer an evidence-based introduction to the theory and practice of sport psychology for children and young athletes. It provides practical strategies and guidance for those working in or researching youth sport, demonstrating how to integrate sport psychology effectively in a variety of youth sport contexts. With real-life case studies that demonstrate psychological theory put into practice, it discusses a wide spectrum of issues faced by young athletes and recommends the best approaches to addressing them. Key topics covered include: the cognitive, social, and physical development of young athletes optimising fun, motivation, and self-confidence enhancing young athletes’ relationships with coaches, parents, and peers managing stress, injuries, and transitions effectively developing talent and long-term engagement in sport encouraging organisational culture change. The most up-to-date and authoritative guide to sport psychology for young people, this is essential reading for anyone working in youth sport.

1. An Introduction to Sport Psychology. 2. Professional Issues in Sport Psychology. 3. Sport History: Antiquity to Colonial America. 4. Sport History: Colonial Period to the Present. 5. Behavioral Principles. 6. Anxiety and Arousal. 7. Anxiety Reduction: Classical Conditioning and Operant Learning. 8. Anxiety Reduction: Cognitive Learning Approaches. 9. Motivation: Attribution Theory and Need Achievement. 10. Motivation: Locus of Control and Self-Theory. 11. Social Psychology of Sport: Leadership and Group Cohesion. 12. Social Psychology of Sport: Audience Effects. 13. Aggression: Dimensions and Theories. 14. Aggression: Violence in Selected Sport Populations. 15. Introduction to Personality and Psychological Assessment. 16. Psychological Assessment in Sport Psychology. 17. Special Athletic Populations: Minority and Risk Sport Athletes. 18. Special Athletic Populations: Athletes Who Are Elite, Disabled, Injured, or Abuse Drugs. 19. The Female Sport Experience: Historical Roots and Psychological Concerns. 20. The Female Sport Experience: Sport Socialization, Psychological Variables, and Other Issues. 21. Youth Sport: Participation and Discontinuation Motives. 22. Youth Sport: Stress and Other Issues. 23. The Coach: Coaching Roles, Communication, and Psychological Variables. 24. The Coach: Youth, Female, and Black Coaches; Coaching Burnout. 25. Exercise Psychology: Physical Fitness, Exercise Adherence and Cognitive and Affective Benefits of Exercise. 26. Exercise Psychology: Runners and Exercise for Senior Citizens.

The first textbook to combine an explanation of the theoretical foundations of sport psychology, critical reviews of contemporary research and practical suggestions for relevant independent research projects.

Sport Psychology: Concepts and Applications shows how concepts supported by current scientific research can be used to address issues and situations encountered everyday by physical activity specialists, coaches, athletic trainers, and athletes. This introduction to sport and exercise psychology addresses practical issues, such as dealing with anxiety, arousal, and stress; developing coping, relaxation, motivation, and energizing strategies; understanding the effects of an audience on human performance; building team cohesion; and preventing burnout and other negative effects.

Aidan Moran provides the first textbook to combine an explanation of the theoretical foundations of sport and exercise psychology with critical reviews of contemporary research, and practical suggestions for relevant independent research projects.