Flow in Sports: The keys to optimal experiences and performances (Paperback)

by Susan A. Jackson (Author), Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Author) "If you stop to think about it, you'll probably agree that when we leave it up to chance, life can be rather unpleasant..." (more)
Key Phrases: autotelic experience, applied sport psychology, experiencing flow, World Cup, Michael Jordan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
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"""For many years, I've admired Dr. Csikszentmihalyi's pioneering work and tried to apply his concepts on the football field. Some people have labeled my approach as 'intense, ' but the more accurate term might be 'in flow.' Being totally absorbed in the task at hand is essential to becoming a sports champion. Flow in Sports tells you how to get into that positive, winning mindset."""
Jimmy Johnson
Head Coach and General Manager, Miami Dolphins
Head Coach, Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys (1992 and 1993)
Head Coach, NCAA National Champion University of Miami (1987)
"""Flow in Sports is a fascinating read. Finally, someone has put into print what I always strive for when I work out and compete. For athletes who are looking for a book that shows how to maximize their sense of enjoyment and unleash their true potential, this is a goldmine of information."""
Dan O'Brien
1996 Olympic Decathlon Champion
"

Product Description
The experience of flow is still one of the least understood phenomena in sport. And yet it is one of the richest, most memorable experiences an athlete will ever know.

Some call it a natural "high." Others refer to it as being "in a zone." Whatever the label, flow is that elusive and desired state of consciousness that athletes, coaches, and psychologists have tried to understand, harness, and employ to their benefit ever since Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first coined the term back in the early 1970s.

Written by Susan Jackson and the world-renowned Csikszentmihalyi, Flow in Sports both explains the phenomenon of optimal experience and identifies the key antecedents and conditions associated with its occurrence. Moreover, the authors specify several thoughts and actions that athletes and coaches can engage in to set the stage for flow to occur during training sessions and performances. Their insights are supported throughout the book with real-life examples, testimonial quotes, and research findings.

Find the peak experience—the added fun—that you’ve been missing. Get in flow, and achieve the most incredible performance state you’ll ever know.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers; 1 edition (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880118768
• ISBN-13: 978-0880118767
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #88,823 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #39 in	Books > Sports > Miscellaneous > Sports Psychology
  #67 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Education Theory > Physical Education

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flow 101 - the practical guide, August 23, 2001

By	Rachel Whelton "r301" (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Flow in Sports by Susan A. Jackson is a well written, clear, practical manual that offers well grounded advice to any level athlete. This is the best book I have seen on the topic since the original classic by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi because it delivers the concepts without fanfare. Flow is just another practical took for the modern day athlete, the same as good nutrition and dedicated practice schedules. This tone and the plentiful, flow-accurate blurbs from atheltes in several different sports, make for a fun and exciting read. Every athelete will identify with the concepts and find inspiration to expand on the methods in their own specific sports training.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical & Thought Provoking, July 19, 2000

By A Customer

The full title of the book is "Flow in Sports: The Key to Optimal Experiences and Performances". The book truly lives up to its title. It provides practical advice for developing the training regimen and mental mindset that lead to the state of "flow" that is key to doing well (and having fun) in sports. I also found the advice in this book to be applicable to other aspects of my life, such as work and studies. The book was co-authored by Dr. Csikszentmihalyi, a world renowned expert in this field, so you know that the advice in this book is based on solid academic research. The only problem I had with the book is the dry writing style, which reminds me of a college term paper.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and practical coverage of exciting topic, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

Jackson and Csikszentmihalyi tackle the topic of how athletes -- from would-be champs to afterwork gym rats -- achieve that wonderful altered state of flow where the muscles work smoothly and you feel great about your workout. This book offers an unusually clear exposition of exactly HOW you can get enter flow in sports. It describes what's necessary, such as challenge, feedback, and focus on the present, and suggests ways to incorporate these elements into your sport. Lots of quotes from athletes involved in various sports help bring the text alive. There are notes, too, so you know they've done their research. Quite inspiring.