Psychological Factors in Sports

In episode #147 I chat with Aaron Walsh, a performance coach for the Chiefs rugby team in New Zealand as well as a consultant to many more elite teams including the Scottish Rugby team.  We chat about his experiences of supporting elite rugby union players, common challenges that players bring to him, perceptions from players and coaches of working on their mental game.  Performance analysis is a topic we touch on too as is culture in elite professional sport. 

Key Learning Points:

• We have many amazing athletes who work incredibly hard, I feel it’s a tragedy that they’re not able to actualise that skill and potential because they don’t have the ability to navigate through the emotional and mental side of performance.
• In my philosophy I treat the mental side as a skill that can be developed.
• Why hasn’t mental skills been integrated into elite teams is a part of Aaron’s research. The answer is people need educating on the topic.
• How players respond to mistakes and pressure is an integral part of mental skills training.
• Psychological safety and well-being need to be talked about cautiously in elite professional sport.
• Everybody wants to be resilient, but not many know how to build resilience.

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To Listen to Rugby Orientated Podcast Episodes

Ep029: Lome Faatau – How to Play Professional Rugby with Confidence 

Ep038: Taz Bricknell – Playing Professional Women’s Rugby 

Ep039: John Fletcher – How to Develop Fearless Athletes

Ep104: Seb De Chaves – The Psychological Demands of Elite Professional Rugby

Ep127: Paul Trainor – The Application of Mental Toughness Training in Elite Professional Rugby League

Helpful Rugby Orientated Resources

Blog – Overthinking on the Rugby Pitch

Blog – Are you a Rugby Player who Focuses Too Much on the Opposition

Blog – Helping Young Rugby Players Mentally Prepare Before Matches

Blog – Playing Rugby at Your Best Under Pressure

Blog – 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment

Rugby Psychology | Mental Skills for Rugby Resources

In today’s episode I chat with John Nassoori, a freelance writer and sports journalist for BBC Sport and The Guardian, in the UK.   We go on to discuss his research into football or soccer psychology, at both the elite end and in grassroots football.  We chat about perceptions of sports psychology, mental health and mental toughness in football.  We also touch on the difference between a sports psychologist and other people who are working in football who often get labelled as sports psychologists.   How sports psychology is used currently in football and what the future holds for the domain we also talk about.

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

• That football or soccer psychology is still in its infancy.
• The role of the Sports Psychologist is misunderstood and requires ongoing education to football clubs decision makers, coaching staff and support teams.
• It takes an outlay of £45k+ to gain the necessary qualifications to qualify as a HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist.
• The term Sport and Exercise Psychologist is a protected term.
• Mind Coaches, Mental Performance Coaches, Clinical or Counselling Psychologists have a role to play in football or soccer however their route to providing support in this environment is different to a Sport and Exercise Psychologist.
• It is important to check out the credentials of anyone practicing psychology whether they are seeking to enhance performance or improve mental health.
• Mental toughness in football is similar to resilience, it’s about helping people withstand pressure.

Connect with John Nassoori:

The Football Psychology Show

Connect with David Charlton

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Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub

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Helpful Podcast Episodes

Ep093: Dan Abrahams – How to Overcome Mental Blocks in Football

Ep102: 30 Mental Game Secrets to Improve Your Soccer

Ep105: Hannah Bromley – Overcoming Psychological Challenges in Professional Women’s Football

Ep111: Michael Caulfield – How to be an Effective Sports Psychologist in Elite Professional Football

Ep125: Jack Hicks-Flynn – How is Psychology used in Professional Football Clubs

Other Useful Resources

Blog – A Common Mental Game Error Many Footballers Make

Blog 5 Coaching Tips to Develop Mentally Tough Footballers

Blog: 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment

Blog: Supporting a Professional Footballer during Challenging Times

Case Study – Supporting a Young Footballer to Overcome his Fears

Library – Soccer Psychology | Mental Skills for Football

In this short solo episode, I answer a question posed by a parent.  “How can I help my son, a goalkeeper who gets very grumpy and nervous the evening before a match?”  Many children across a range of sports face this challenge, often talking themselves into performing poorly before they go out to play a match or compete.  They let nervousness win.  Today’s episode is set up to help parents where I share some ideas on how you could adapt your approach so that you help your children. 

Key Learning

• Consider if you are providing emotional support or if you are drawn into problem solving?
• Offer your children some space.
• Help your children to find ways to switch off from their sport.
• Be careful not to over-coach your children.
• Consider if practice the day or evening before is fun and relaxing or actually fuelling anxiety and perfectionism.

Connect with David Charlton

Sign Up to Conversations with Kids

Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub

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Relevant Podcast Episodes

Ep008: Brendan Pearson – Academy Football, Professional Football, Injuries and Early Retirement

Ep074: David Charlton – How Can I Make My Child Feel Confident?

Ep087: Carl Bell – From Professional Football and Goalkeeping to Physiotherapy

Ep112: David Charlon – How to Deal with Physical Insecurities as a Young Athlete

Ep122: Prof Camilla Knight – Helping Your Children Get The Most From Their Sporting Experiences

Other Relevant Blogs and Resources

Blog: Pre Match Tips for Parents

Blog: 5 Reasons Why Being Released from a Football Academy is Difficult

Blog: How To Overcome Self-Doubt When You’re A Goalkeeper

Blog: Goalkeepers – Does your warm up have to be perfect for you to feel confident

Blog: Do You Focus Too Much on the Opposition as a Goalkeeper