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
Chapter 1 IntroductionPerformance psychology: developing a peak performance cultureDave CollinsSection 1 – PreparationChapter 2 Aims, principles and methodologies in talent identification and developmentAngela ButtonChapter 3 Expertise: the goal of performance developmentNicola J. Hodges and Joseph BakerChapter 4 Psychological characteristics of developing excellenceÁine MacNamaraChapter 5 Talent development environments: key considerations for effective practiceRussell Martindale and Paddy MortimerChapter 6 Implications and applications: views from the performer's panelDave CollinsSection 2 – Provision (of support)Chapter 7 Introduction: organisational issues in providing supportDave CollinsChapter 8 Organising for excellenceVeronica BurkeChapter 9 The team perspective: promoting excellence in performance teamsAlan C. MacPherson and Patrick HowardChapter 10 Planning for physical performance: the individual perspective. Planning, periodization, prediction, and why the future ain't what it used to beJohn KielyChapter 11 Practical dimensions of providing for excellence: views from the performer's panelDave CollinsSection 3 – PracticeChapter 12 Introduction: practice regimens for excellenceDave CollinsChapter 13 'Keeping it together': motor control under pressureChris Button, Clare MacMahon and Rich MastersChapter 14 Skill acquisition: designing optimal learning environmentsJoan N. VickersChapter 15 Effective skill development: how should athletes' skills be developed?Andrew Abraham and Dave CollinsChapter 16 Mental practice: neuroscientific support for a new approachPaul Holmes and Claire CalmelsChapter 17 Developing the performance brain: decision making under pressureDuncan R.D. Mascarenhas and Nickolas C. SmithChapter 18 Practical dimensions of developing skill: views from the performers' panelDave CollinsSection 4 – PerformanceChapter 19 Introduction: performing on the dayDave CollinsChapter 20 Coping and mental toughnessHugh RichardsChapter 21 Emotional issues of peak performance: managing moodSheelagh Rodgers and Britt Tajet-FoxallChapter 22 AttentionAidan MoranChapter 23 Putting it together: skills for pressure performanceMark Wilson and Hugh RichardsChapter 24 Putting them together: skills packages to optimize team/group performanceDave Collins and Judy CollinsChapter 25 Practical dimensions of realising your peak performanceDave CollinsConclusion Where next? Getting help in your pursuit of excellenceAmanda Martindale and Dave Collins
