Description
Performance Psychology: A Practitioner's Guide is a comprehensive, evidence-based text covering the key aspects of performance culture: performer development, preparation, training and execution. Written by a team of international contributors, including national coaches, training specialists, applied sports psychologists, clinicians and researchers, and building on strong links between theory and practice, the book shows how applied psychological methods and principles can be used to enhance performanceContributing authors offer clear implications for applied practice and each section is summarized by contributions from a 'Performers Panel'of experts who provide real-life practical examples. Performance psychology is applied to a wide variety of physical performance domains which enables practitioners to see how they can combine ideas and tailor interventions, to people and contexts, to produce effective applications of psychology.Dave Collins is Professor of Performance and Coaching/Director for the Institute of Coaching and Performance at the University of Central Lancashire. As a practitioner, he has worked with over 50 World and Olympic medalists, and in professional performance domains spanning sport, business, motor sport, music, dance and adventure. He was formerly Performance Director of UK Athletics, a rugby player, martial artist and OE instructor. Dave currently works with the Chelsea FC Football Academy, amongst other consultancies.Angela Button is a researcher at the University of Otago and is widely acknowledged as a world expert on talent. Angela has led funded research projects in talent development in the UK and New Zealand. Her sporting interests include squash, running and triathlon.Hugh Richards lectures and is Director of post-graduate programmes in Performance Psychology at the University of Edinburgh. He has published in the areas of coping, talent, individual differences and professional development related to sport, the military and music. Hugh has applied psychology to professional performers from international level sport to business. He currently works with the UK Motor Sport Association, international performer development schemes and has been advisor to the BBC on learning and performance.- Strong links between theory and practice - a panel of top performers conclude each section with an overview, providing real-life practical examples in addition to the case studies included in each chapter- Holistic approach allows students to see how they can combine different approaches to address a problem- Written by a team of international contributors including national team coaches, sports psychologists and academics
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: Performance psychology: developing a peak performance cultureDave CollinsSection 1 – Preparation2. Aims, principles and methodologies in talent identification and developmentAngela Button3. Expertise: the goal of performance developmentNicola J. Hodges and Joseph Baker4. Psychological characteristics of developing excellenceÁine MacNamara5. Talent development environments: key considerations for effective practiceRussell Martindale and Paddy Mortimer6. Implications and applications: views from the performer's panelDave CollinsSection 2 – Provision (of support)7. Introduction: organisational issues in providing supportDave Collins8. Organising for excellenceVeronica Burke9. The team perspective: promoting excellence in performance teamsAlan C. MacPherson and Patrick Howard10. Planning for physical performance: the individual perspective. Planning, periodization, prediction, and why the future ain't what it used to beJohn Kiely11. Practical dimensions of providing for excellence: views from the performer's panelDave CollinsSection 3 – Practice12. Introduction: practice regimens for excellenceDave Collins13. 'Keeping it together': motor control under pressureChris Button, Clare MacMahon and Rich Masters14. Skill acquisition: designing optimal learning environmentsJoan N. Vickers15. Effective skill development: how should athletes' skills be developed?Andrew Abraham and Dave Collins16. Mental practice: neuroscientific support for a new approachPaul Holmes and Claire Calmels17. Developing the performance brain: decision making under pressureDuncan R.D. Mascarenhas and Nickolas C. Smith18. Practical dimensions of developing skill: views from the performers' panelDave CollinsSection 4 – Performance19. Introduction: performing on the dayDave Collins20. Coping and mental toughnessHugh Richards21. Emotional issues of peak performance: managing moodSheelagh Rodgers and Britt Tajet-Foxall22. AttentionAidan Moran23. Putting it together: skills for pressure performanceMark Wilson and Hugh Richards24. Putting them together: skills packages to optimize team/group performanceDave Collins and Judy Collins25. Practical dimensions of realising your peak performanceDave CollinsConclusion Where next? Getting help in your pursuit of excellenceAmanda Martindale and Dave Collins
