Full Description
Acquiring the winning edge in sports-the mental edge Mental conditioning is now seen by many to be as critical to sports success as physical conditioning. And for parents eager to ensure their children have a winning edge-as well as a future college scholarship-nothing could be more critical to success. This book offers readers a comprehensive program to gain that winning edge, providing training tips and techniques along with helpful advice to keep in mind while competing. With practical advice on how to strengthen concentration (and when you shouldn't concentrate), talk yourself into winning, and develop routines that will lead to consistent improvement, the book's full personalized program will help any athlete gain over time the winning edge in any sport * With tips on how to regulate your energy to avoid exhaustion; and how to enhance your team's chemistry through sports psychology * Loaded with real-world examples from amateur and professional sports of all kinds Applicable to not only sports-but business as well-Sports Psychology For Dummies will enhance any competitor's motivation, focus, and will to win, when facing life's toughest challenges.
Contents
Introduction 1 Part I: Getting the Winning Edge: Sports Psychology Fundamentals 7 Chapter 1: Introducing Sports Psychology 9 Chapter 2: The Gladiator Mind: Strengthening What s Under the Helmet 17 Chapter 3: Setting Goals: Aiming High and Hitting the Bull s-Eye 29 Chapter 4: Stoking the Fire in Your Belly: How to Fan the Flames of Motivation 39 Chapter 5: Swagger: The Art and Science of Building Real Confidence 55 Part II: Your Mental Toolkit for Success 69 Chapter 6: Mastering the Art of Focus 71 Chapter 7: Seeing Is Believing: What You Need to Know about Imagery 87 Chapter 8: Self-Talk: Making Sure You re Not Yelling in Your Own Ear 105 Chapter 9: Getting a Hold of Your Schedule 119 Part III: Staying Competitive: Sports Psychology in Action 131 Chapter 10: Winning Habits: How Routines Improve Performance in Competition 133 Chapter 11: Handling Pressure: Playing in the Fire without Getting Burned 149 Chapter 12: Staying Strong: The Importance of Managing Energy Levels 165 Chapter 13: Handling Adversity: The Psychological Art of Bouncing Back 181 Part IV: Improving Team Performance with Sports Psychology 199 Chapter 14: Communicating as a Team 201 Chapter 15: Leading Your Team to Victory: Athletes as Leaders 213 Chapter 16: Developing Teamwork 229 Part V: Sports Psychology for Coaches and Parents 243 Chapter 17: Coaching Today s Athlete 245 Chapter 18: Parenting an Athlete: How to Be More than Just a Fan 263 Part VI: The Part of Tens 281 Chapter 19: Ten Ways You Can Use Sports Psychology at the Office 283 Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Be a Better Competitor 293 Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Manage Stress Better 299 Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Parent an Athlete 309 Index 317
