University of Oklahoma Athletics
Performance Psychology
August 30, 2022 | Athletics
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Performance psychology services are a type of mental training that is used by athletes, teams, and others who want to improve their performance in any number of areas. It is for student-athletes who wish to harness the power of the mind to perform with greater confidence, consistency, and at the upper ranges of their potential.
Most athletes realize the importance of physical preparation (e.g., technical training, strength and endurance building). GREAT athletes recognize physical preparation combined with intentional mental preparation leads to their best performances.
Performance psychology sessions can range from a five-minute discussion with a PROS staff member in the training room before practice, to a 50-minute session in a PROS staff member's office. Performance psychology sessions can be more instructional and solution-focused than most counseling sessions. In performance psychology work, emphasis is placed on the enhancement of psychological skills, such as gaining and maintaining confidence in one's abilities, focusing attention correctly under pressure, and maintaining composure during challenging situations. Time is often spent helping individuals recognize and more effectively utilize personal strengths.
Potential areas of discussion may include, but are not limited to:
- Confidence
- Communication with teammates and/or coaches
- Focus during training and competition
- Reconnecting with one's purpose
- Pre-performance nerves
- Motivation
- Performance slumps
- Developing more effective self-talk
- Leadership skills
- Team dynamics
Student-athletes may likely benefit from a focus on performance psychology training if they experience any of the following:
- Performance slumps
- Inconsistent performances
- Underachieving
- Difficulty adjusting to coaching instructions
- Frustration experienced by coaches or player
- Lack of confidence
- Performance anxiety
- Difficulty performing under pressure
- Trouble letting go of mistakes
- Focusing on things outside of their control
- Being distracted
- Not improving with coaching instructions
