How can a Sport Psychologist help you?

There are many myths about Sport Psychology. What does a Sport Psychologist actually do? The reality is that applied Sport Psychology is based on very simplistic principles. One principle endorsed by many practitioners is the KISS approach (Keep It Simple Stupid !!). Such an approach is important as many individuals experience problems with their mental game simply because they ‘over complicate’ things. Part of the Sport Psychologist's job is to simplify an individual's approach to the mental game, so that they feel ‘in control’ of their performance. Much of what we do in Sport Psychology is taken from the experiences of those individuals who have made it to the top of sport. There are many mental skills, which can be enhanced through mental training; these include… Controlling anxiety (nerves) * Visualisation, * Developing concentration, * Confidence building, * Performance analysis, * Positive thought control, * Improving body language, * Developing pre-performance preparation, * Goal setting.

Aspects of sports performance such as being able to control anxiety and the ability to stay focused at crucial times often dictate whether an individual is successful or not. However, very little time is spent working on the mental game. Mental skills need to be worked on just as physical skills are. Many sports performers are able to perform to a high level in practice yet seem unable to ‘deliver the goods’ when they compete.

Often the reason for this is that they have spent all their preparation time working on their physical game and neglected their mental preparation. Therefore, when they confront a pressure situation or they experience a loss of concentration they do not have the relevant coping strategies to stay in control of their performance. These individuals should be encouraged to spend time working on their mental game, to allow them to fulfill their potential physically by preparing mentally. Most individuals find that very simple mental strategies help them to feel more in control of themselves and subsequently perform to a higher standard.

What are the Psychological benefits of the Quintic System?

The use of video analysis is important for a number of psychological reasons…

1. Visualisation.
Video analysis can help an individual to learn to visualise much more effectively. By observing yourself performing consistently well on video you can enhance the way that you see yourself perform in your mind. The use of video is particularly useful for developing external visualisation (where you see yourself performing as if on a television screen). This form of visualisation allows the individual to observe themselves performing from afar. Therefore, they do not experience the same thoughts, feelings and emotions that are felt when they visualise a situation through their own eyes. This form of visualisation is particularly important when building confidence and dealing with controlling anxiety.

2. Positive Reminders.
Most sports performers are encouraged to keep some kind of performance analysis diary. A diary can be used to assess the strengths and weaknesses of recent performances and can also be used as a positive reminder of good performances. The Quintic system allows the individual to keep a library of positive performances, which can be recalled simply at the touch of a button. Using the memo pad feature you can also recall any important information regarding the video clip that you are watching. For example a golfer can record a library of their best shots with each club. The memo pad allows you to record any important information regarding each swing, for example ‘swing keys’ or ‘swing thoughts’. Thus, if they are beginning to struggle playing with a particular club the golfer can recall an image of themselves playing at their best with that particular club. Using the split screen function the player can then record their current swing and compare it to their best swing. By using the synch function and running these two images together the player can establish whether there are any technical differences between the two swings. Any differences can be identified by the coach and drills can be worked out to correct the fault.

"An example of the benefits of the Quintic system occurred when one particular golfer lost his confidence in swinging one particular club. When using the split screen function the coach could not identify any technical differences between the golfers current swing as compared to a good swing recorded three months previously. It was clear that the golfer had simply lost confidence in their swing. By seeing that there were no technical differences between the two swings the golfer was reassured that their technique was not at fault. This put any 'technical doubts' out of the golfers mind and ensured that he believed in his technical ability. The memo pad feature also reminded the golfer of their ‘positive thoughts’ and ‘swing keys’. In this case the player had stopped using one particular swing key. The Quintic system had acted as a positive reminder for the golfer and helped him rebuild his confidence in his swing".

3. Body Language.
Through the use of video analysis sports performers can become much more aware of their ‘behaviour’. For example a tennis player might want to study their body language after points that they have won or lost. Equally it is useful for studying the body language of opponents. A coach can use the split screen facility to show examples of both positive and negative body language as compared to that of the player that they are working with.

4. Skill Development.
Because of the systems slow speed function, individuals can receive direct feedback about a skill they are learning, immediately after performing the skill itself. Therefore, throughout the learning process the player can see a visual picture of what they are actually doing. This is very important, as often individuals are not actually doing what they perceive themselves to be doing. By using the systems spit screen function the coach can have a visual representation of the skill being performed perfectly on one side of the screen and the current image of the performer on the other. Thus the performer can see where the adjustments need to be made to the technique in order to perform the skill correctly. For more complicated skill development the lines / angles function can be used to demonstrate the ‘fine tuning’ of technical development. Such a visual representation can build confidence throughout the learning process.

Written by Dr Mark Bawden, Metaphorics Performance Consultants Ltd.