Mental Training for Coaches and Athletes

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
SPSC 2377
Descriptive
Mental Training for Coaches and Athletes
Department
Douglas
Faculty
Douglas
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
201330
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
35
Contact hours
4 hours per week
Learning activities

Lecture

Discussion groups and group projects

Practical applications and experiences

Field observation

Guest presenters

Technology assisted learning

Course description
In this course students will learn mental training skills and techniques. These concepts will be applied to the learning and performance of sport skills, tactics, and routines. Mental training concepts will be applied to sport performance at all levels and ages in training, practicing and competing. Students will apply these concepts to session planning and seasonal planning. Topics include visualization, focus, peak performance, goal setting and relaxation.
Course content
  1. Mental Preparation

 

       The student will:

1.1.     Describe the factors associated with motivation for optimal performance.

1.2.     Describe the components of a mental preparation program.

1.3.     Describe and demonstrate the settings of goals and objectives for athletes and coaches:

1.3.1.  Daily

1.3.2.  Micro and macro cycle

1.3.3.  Seasonal

1.3.4.  Career

1.3.5.  Performance profiles

1.4.     Develop training and competition diaries.

1.5.     Describe personality concepts as related to coaching and sport participation.

 

  1. Process

 

       The student will:

2.1.     Define the concepts of process and outcome as related to optimal performance.

2.2.     Describe the achievement of a process focal point by athletes and coaches:

2.2.1.  Controllable factors

2.2.2.  Focus

2.2.3.  Cue words

2.2.4.  Self talk

2.2.5.  Attention control

2.3.     Describe methods for dealing with distractions:

2.3.1.  On site

2.3.2.  Off site

2.4.     Describe the development of a positive coaching environment and belief system.

 

  1. Activation

 

       The student will:

3.1.     Define the concepts of emotional control, stress, anxiety, activation and arousal.

3.2.     Describe the relationship between stress, anxiety, activation and arousal; and performance.

3.3.     Describe the management of anxiety, arousal and relaxation with respect to optimal performance.

3.4.     Describe the use of techniques that control and affect recovery and performance.

 

  1. Imagery

 

      The student will:

4.1.     Describe the types of visualization used by coaches and athletes.

4.2.     Prepare visualization programs for coaches and athletes:

4.2.1.  Skills

4.2.2.  Performance

4.2.3.  Goals and objectives

4.2.4.  Wellness

4.2.5.  Emotions and attitudes

4.3.     Describe the methods utilized to simulate competitive experiences.

 

  1. Plan Preparation

 

      The student will:

5.1.     Develop plans for optimal performance:

5.1.1.  Pre-competition

5.1.2.  Competition

5.1.3.  Post-Competition

5.2.     Describe the development of team cohesion at the community sport club level.

5.3.     Describe the development of a community sport club discipline.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Describe the mental preparation associated with the achievement of optimal performance.
  2. Describe the concept of process as related to optimal performance for athletes and coaches.
  3. Describe the relationship between activation and performance.
  4. Describe and demonstrate the use of imagery by athletes and coaches.
  5. Describe and demonstrate the preparation of pre-competition, competition and post competition plans.
Means of assessment

Mid-term Examination

Final Examination

Term Paper (sport specific performance enhancement)

Group Project (performance optimization program)

Individual project (planning)

TOTAL

 

 

 20%

 20%

 20%

 20%

 20%

100%

 

Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

 

Porter, K. and J. Foster (1990) Visual Athletics. Dubuque, Iowa: Brown Benchmark. ISBN 0-697-10987-9.

 

Readings from:

 

Cox, R. H., (1985) Sport Psychology, 2nd Edition, Dubuque, Iowa: Brown Benchmark. ISBN 0-697-01340-5