PSY FPX 8842 Assessment 1 Application of Sport Psychology

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 8842 Applied Sport Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Application of Sport Psychology

As a professional athlete in the National Football League (NFL), players must be disciplined both mentally and physically. Just as there is room for growth in their physical abilities, there is also room for athletes to develop mentally and apply mental skills to enhance their performance. The Player Development program and the Director of Player Development in a team’s franchise aim to support the personal and professional growth of players (Washington Football Team, 2020). The NFL’s overarching player engagement program is designed to offer rookies transition training to help them adjust emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially to life in the NFL. The Total Wellness Program promotes the physical, mental, and financial health of all current players, Legends, and their significant others (National Football League, n.d.).

Sport psychology principles can be introduced to athletes through various methods, including group workshops, one-on-one sessions, and a client-friendly approach. Group workshops enable the dissemination of information to multiple participants simultaneously, helping athletes understand their roles within the broader context of the team or organization. Workshops also engage coaches and staff, helping them foster success in practice and performance settings. While group workshops align everyone with a specific technique, they may not address individual issues that a player might be facing, which can be better addressed through one-on-one sessions. Individual sessions allow for a personalized approach, enabling the identification and resolution of specific concerns unique to each player. For example, while one player might struggle with visualization, another might face challenges with self-talk. The client-friendly approach can be integrated into both group workshops and one-on-one sessions, allowing players to feel valued beyond the role of a client. Athletes often trust and engage more openly when they perceive the relationship as friendly. However, this approach can pose challenges, as maintaining professional boundaries is essential in the client-provider relationship. If a player begins to see me as a friend, they might feel entitled to visit unexpectedly or interrupt sessions with other clients, potentially leading to feelings of betrayal if they perceive I am not fully available to them.

Concerns and Limitations

I anticipate that the initial limitations and concerns in applying my sport psychology principles will stem from my own doubts, as noted by Richard Collins, Katie Evans-Jones, and Helen O’Connor (Collins et al., 2013). As a recent graduate, I may struggle with confidence in delivering sport psychology consultations and fear not knowing the appropriate interventions for specific issues. While a theoretically sound approach may work in many cases, psychology requires individualized plans tailored to the unique circumstances of each client. To address these concerns, I plan to seek supervised sessions with athletes. Supervised practice will provide constructive feedback from experienced professionals, enabling me to improve and better serve the athletes.

Another significant concern is my lack of firsthand experience playing football. While I am familiar with the game, I do not fully understand all the intricate details of professional football. Additionally, as a woman, asserting authority and earning the respect of staff and players might prove challenging. To mitigate these challenges, I will dedicate significant time to studying and watching football to better understand the sport’s terminology and nuances that may arise during sessions.

After addressing my personal concerns, the next challenges will likely come from the players themselves (Cook & Fletcher, 2017). Players with prior experience working with psychologists may have preconceived expectations of how interactions should unfold. Understanding a player’s perspective on authority figures will be crucial in shaping the interaction. Information from coaches and staff can offer valuable insights into a player’s disposition toward authority. For instance, a player may have had a negative experience with a more abrasive coach but a positive experience with a more relaxed coach, highlighting the need to avoid harsh criticisms.

PSY FPX 8842 Assessment 1 Application of Sport Psychology

Players who have never worked with a psychologist may feel apprehensive about the process. To alleviate this concern, I plan to connect psychological concepts to everyday decisions and situations familiar to the players, demonstrating that the training is non-invasive and focused on improving their performance. I will also encourage open communication, allowing players to ask questions about myself, which helps foster a more comfortable and reciprocal environment.Lastly, some athletes may worry that their progress in sessions or personal feelings about the team, teammates, or staff will be shared with others. To address this concern, I will emphasize that confidentiality is a core tenet of professional psychology (American Psychological Association, n.d.). Clarifying this from the outset will help alleviate any reservations players might have about participating fully in sessions.

Ultimately, my success in introducing sport psychology techniques will depend on continued practice and exposure. There will be challenges along the way, but with self-reflection, a willingness to improve, and feedback from experienced professionals, the process will become smoother over time. Just as I expect athletes to be patient with me, I must also be patient with myself to achieve success.

References

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code

Collins, R., Evans-Jones, K., & O’Connor, H. L. (2013). Reflections on three neophyte sport and exercise psychologists’ developing philosophies for practice. The Sport Psychologist, 27(4), 399–409. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.27.4.399

Cook, G. M., & Fletcher, D. (2017). Sport psychology in an Olympic swimming team: Perceptions of the management and coaches. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 48(5), 343–351. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000142

National Football League. (n.d.). NFL player engagement. https://operations.nfl.com/the-players/nfl-player-engagement/