Sports Psychology For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)) [Paperback]

Leif H. Smith (Author), Todd M. Kays (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 2010 | Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)

Acquiring the winning edge in sports-the mental edge

Mental conditioning is now seen by many to be as critical to sports success as physical conditioning. And for parents eager to ensure their children have a winning edge-as well as a future college scholarship-nothing could be more critical to success. This book offers readers a comprehensive program to gain that winning edge, providing training tips and techniques along with helpful advice to keep in mind while competing. With practical advice on how to strengthen concentration (and when you shouldn't concentrate), talk yourself into winning, and develop routines that will lead to consistent improvement, the book's full personalized program will help any athlete gain over time the winning edge in any sport

• With tips on how to regulate your energy to avoid exhaustion; and how to enhance your team's chemistry through sports psychology
• Loaded with real-world examples from amateur and professional sports of all kinds

Applicable to not only sports-but business as well-Sports Psychology For Dummies will enhance any competitor's motivation, focus, and will to win, when facing life's toughest challenges.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Your smart guide to gaining the winning edge with sports psychology

In sports, mental training and toughness are just as important as physical talent. With practical training techniques and helpful strategies for anyone looking for that winning edge — from athletes and coaches to parents and even businesspeople — this friendly guide to sports psychology will help you take your performance to the next level.

• Build mental toughness — learn to bounce back from adversity, be motivated to do your best, and stay calm under pressure

• Cope with performance anxiety — find ways to focus your attention on what matters and control your emotions

• Use visualization and self-talk — develop positive thought patterns, find out what type of imagery works best for you, and understand when to use it

• Develop strategic routines — create practice and competition habits that improve your focus and consistency

• Improve team chemistry — work on your communication skills, embrace your role on the team, and take ownership of success and failure

Open the book and find:

• How to pull yourself out of a slump

• Routines used by professional athletes

• Strategies for staying confident, even after a bad game

• The qualities of a great team leader

• Why pressure is actually a figment of your imagination

• What to do when your personal life distracts you from the game

• How to handle a conflict with your coach or teammate

• Ways to use sports psychology at the office

"A terrific resource for serious competitors. Every encounter that awaits the player and coach is addressed. This book needs to be in every player's locker and on every coach's desk."
—Jim Tressel, Ohio State Football Head Coach

Learn to:

• Set and reach your goals

• Play your best under pressure

• Develop winning habits

• Bounce back from adversity

About the Author

Leif H. Smith, PsyD, is president of Personal Best Consulting, a sports psychology and performance consultation firm.

Todd M. Kays, PhD, is president of the Athletic Mind Institute, a sports and performance consulting firm.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (October 19, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470676590
• ISBN-13: 978-0470676592
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Sports Psychology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creating a Healthier Future for our Children!, September 11, 2010

By 

Ohio Master Teacher - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sports Psychology For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)) (Paperback)

As an educator of 36 years, holding an MS Degree (plus 60 hrs.
of continued Graduate credit) and awarded Master Teacher of Ohio
status, I find this book a great resource for anyone interested
in helping children create a balanced life! Most prevalent in the
news recently are the multitude of head injuries and other lifelong
injuries caused by inappropriate expectations of parents and coaches
for young children to achieve physical (sports related)accomplishments beyond their developmental capabilities. Be sure to read the section entitled "Differentiating Between Your Motivation and Your Kids'(motivation)!" This is a "real-life" manual for all
adults seeking to create a healthier future for our children!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful, September 10, 2010

By 

slong - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sports Psychology For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)) (Paperback)

I have truly enjoyed reading this book- I have found it helpful not only as I help my children deal with the mental challenges of sports, but also for my every day situations. I have been recommending this book to all of my friends. Thanks!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Resource for Parents w/ High Performing Children Athletes, September 13, 2010

By 

Jay M. Rasmussen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sports Psychology For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)) (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me by a business partner as we were discussing how to improve our children's "mental conditioning" as they have reached their apex of physical conditioning and prowess in their highly competitive high school and collegiate sports. For both of our children, they are very strong at their given sports however there was the grey area of how to get them to overcome the mental obstacles and distractions they have created internally and externally.

With that being said, I would highly recommend this book for persons in similar circumstances, in addition to those who are playing at a higher level. The exercises prescribed are very intuitive and the personal stories conveyed are relevant to players and coaches (parents) alike. We all know how to train our bodies to the given sports we participate in through numerous forums, yet struggle when it comes to conditioning our minds to perform as we have trained our bodies. This book is fantastic in creating a balance between the physical and mental aspects of the game. Very well written with little physiological "babble" to dazzle the non PhD'd reader.

Great resource and should be read and referred to more than once.

Jay M. Rasmussen