The Psychology of Coaching Team Sports: A Self-Help Guide
PrefaceSport psychology is a relatively young field of study. It was not until the 1960's that it actually emerged as a separate discipline. Since that time, however, literally thousands of research studies and critical reviews have been published by sport psychologists from around the world. This has created an extremely rich body of knowledge pertaining to the science of human behaviour in the sporting environment.Unfortunately, this research has primarily been limited to other sport psychologists, as well as libraries in academic settings. I use the term "unfortunately" because this wealth of knowledge is not easily accessible to the average person. In addition, since these publications are intended for an academic audience, they are often written in psychological jargon that means little to the reader who does not have a degree in psychology. What is really needed is a book that translates all of this knowledge into a readable form that can be readily understood and implemented by everyone with an interest in team sports.The Psychology of Coaching Team Sports was written to address this important need. It utilizes all of the most recent research, but presents it in a user-friendly format that takes the mystery out of sport psychology. The concepts are clearly explained, with special attention given to their relevance to team sports. In addition, almost every chapter provides checklists and measurement instruments that will help the practitioner get a better understanding of his or her athletes. Practical recommendations are then suggested that will help the reader make the sporting experience more productive and enjoyable for each and every participant. Finally, each chapter presents a series of coaching applications that challenge the reader to apply this important information to his or her specific situation.        The book has primarily been written for the serious coach of any team sport. The coach who wants to take his or her team to the next level of competition will learn to utilize a variety of psychological tools that will result in the desired competitive edge. Other individuals will also find the book to be useful. Parents, for example, often find themselves in a coaching role. They are the individuals who are viewed as important role models for their children 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Children continually look to their parents for advice. For this reason, a book of this nature is of significant value. It will help each parent understand what their child is going through, and provide workable solutions to make the sporting experience as positive as possible.Team sport participants themselves could benefit greatly from a better understanding of sport psychology. The information supplied will provide practical solutions to many of the problems associated with competitive sport. By implementing these strategies, the team sport participant can, in effect, begin to "coach" him- or herself. This can only enhance the valuable information already  provided by the team coach. Finally, this book would make a valuable supplemental text to any class in sport psychology, providing practical application of theoretical principles.In conclusion, The Psychology of Coaching Team Sports is not intended to suggest that everyone should attempt to become an "armchair psychologist." In fact, the more serious problems should always be referred to a trained counsellor or a qualified sport psychologist. But in many cases, coaches, teachers, and parents are called upon to provide psychological direction in the sporting environment. This book will take the guesswork out of that direction. This in turn will increase the probability of a positive and successful sporting experience.How to Use This BookThis book presents the coach with a relatively large amount of information. It is therefore important to remember that you don't necessarily need to start at the beginning and read each chapter in order. Coaches who have reviewed the book report they have found it to be very effective when used like a recipe book. For example, if you are having trouble with your sport team, or feel that a certain area is in need of improvement, simply look up that topic in the index. Then go to the specific chapter for advice on how to improve your team on that dimension.