Two Paths to Performance
In elite sports, performance is the ultimate priority.
It is known that goals play a pivotal role in reaching that outcome.
What is the relationship between mastery goals, cooperation, achievement goals, competition, and ultimate team performance in elite sport settings?
It turns out this relationship is more complicated than it appears.
JEDI Training for Youth Athletes
Unfortunately, social justice issues are becoming increasingly common in our youth sports landscape.
However, youth sports present a unique opportunity to empower our next generation.
In this article we’ll talk about
The extent of social justice issues in youth sports
JEDI training
Practical implications
Effective Goal Setting
Effective Goal Setting in Sport Psychology: How to Use Nonspecific Goals to Maximize Performance
In this article we’ll cover:
Why Goal Setting Matters in Sport Psychology.
The Evolution of Goal Setting: Moving Beyond "SMART" Goals
Key Findings: How Nonspecific Goals Impact Performance
The Catch: Nonspecific Goals Aren’t a Cure-All
Takeaway for Athletes and Coaches
Beating “Tilt”
Despite historical ties to gambling and gaming, tilt is an emotional experience in every competitive environment, preventing optimal performance.
But what actually is tilt? And how can we beat it?
The Power of Mindfulness
Yusuf Dikec took the world (and internet) by storm in the 2024 Olympic shooting competition.
While his competitors wore fancy eyewear, noise cancelling headphones, and unique poses, Dikec did none of those… and won Silver.
How did he do it?
Tom Brady’s Secret to Success: Self-Talk
That voice in the back of your head has a name: self-talk.
Tom Brady knew how to use that voice to his advantage.
Do you?
Building a Champion: Rory McIlroy
Coming into his 17th Masters start, Rory McIlroy had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
How did he handle the pressure?
Find out the secrets to achieving peak performance through an exclusive interview with McIlroy’s Sport Psychologist.
The Imagery-Confidence Relationship
Imagery has been shown to bolster confidence. Confidence is one of the strongest predictors of performance.
What are the specifics behind the imagery-confidence relationship? How can we use imagery to build, maintain, and regain confidence?
Sport Psychology During Injury Rehabilitation
Previously on this website, we’ve discussed the benefits of incorporating sport psychology and mental skills in the injury rehabilitation process.
That said, how much do collegiate athletes really interact with mental skills? What was the context of those interactions? Who did they learn these mental skills from?
Mental Health in Professional Football
Sport psychology and mental health counseling heavily overlap, however they’re not entirely the same. That said, in a sport such as football, the prevalence of mental health problems is markedly higher than the rest of the country.
What can sport psychology practitioners learn from the mental health of former American football players and how can we optimize our practice with this information?
The Dark Side of a 3 Peat
With the Chiefs loss in the 24 - 25 NFL Season, a historic achievement still remains unclaimed: a 3 peat in the Super Bowl Era.
Why will we never see a 3 peat in modern era sports? What are the hidden challenges behind consistent excellence? What can we learn from the failure of legends?
The Importance of Resilience in Youth Soccer
It’s the 2022 World Cup Final: Argentina vs. France in the most watched match in World Cup history. In the 80th minute Argentina is winning 2 - 1, France is facing immense pressure to score while Argentina has the weight of the world on their defense.
In the most stressful moment of these players’ careers, given the seemingly insurmountable pressure, how did these players react?
The Science Behind a Team Collapse and How to Prevent It
In historic Super Bowl LI, the Patriots mounted a miraculous comeback, while the Falcons demonstrated a textbook example of team collapse.
What is the psychological science behind the Falcon’s fall from grace? What if there was something that they could do about?
Turns out, there is.
Sport Psychology in the Athletic Training Room
Athletic trainers are unsung heroes for their work with injured athletes. However, how much do they know about the psychological challenges which come with athletic return to sport?
Mental Toughness - The Prerequisite To Elite Performance.
Mental toughness is a prerequisite to elite level performance. But what is it? What are the attributes of being mentally tough? How can you improve your mental toughness?
Psychological Well-Being and Return-to-Sport Outcomes in Competitive Athletes
How does an athletes well-being facilitate their return-to-sport?
Competitive Athletes’ Return to Sport Following Serious Injury
Is there more to an athlete’s return to sport than just physical rehab?