Performance Psychology
A Practitioner's Guide
Edited by- David Collins, BEd(Hons), CertEd, CPsychol, MSc, PhD, Performance Director, UK Athletics, Birmingham, UK; Adjunct Professor and Chair in PER and Sport Performance, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
- Angela Abbott
- Hugh Richards
Performance Psychology: A Practitioner's Guide is a comprehensive, evidence-based text covering the key aspects of performance culture: performer development, preparation, training and execution. Written by a team of international contributors, including national coaches, training specialists, applied sports psychologists, clinicians and researchers, and building on strong links between theory and practice, the book shows how applied psychological methods and principles can be used to enhance performance
Contributing authors offer clear implications for applied practice and each section is summarized by contributions from a 'Performers Panel' of experts who provide real-life practical examples. Performance psychology is applied to a wide variety of physical performance domains which enables practitioners to see how they can combine ideas and tailor interventions, to people and contexts, to produce effective applications of psychology.
Dave Collins is Professor of Performance and Coaching/Director for the Institute of Coaching and Performance at the University of Central Lancashire. As a practitioner, he has worked with over 50 World and Olympic medalists, and in professional performance domains spanning sport, business, motor sport, music, dance and adventure. He was formerly Performance Director of UK Athletics, a rugby player, martial artist and OE instructor. Dave currently works with the Chelsea FC Football Academy, amongst other consultancies.
Angela Button is a researcher at the University of Otago and is widely acknowledged as a world expert on talent. Angela has led funded research projects in talent development in the UK and New Zealand. Her sporting interests include squash, running and triathlon.
Hugh Richards lectures and is Director of post-graduate programmes in Performance Psychology at the University of Edinburgh. He has published in the areas of coping, talent, individual differences and professional development related to sport, the military and music. Hugh has applied psychology to professional performers from international level sport to business. He currently works with the UK Motor Sport Association, international performer development schemes and has been advisor to the BBC on learning and performance.Paperback, 432 Pages
Published: March 2011
Imprint: Churchill Livingstone
ISBN: 978-0-443-06734-1
Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
Performance psychology: developing a peak performance culture
Dave Collins
Section 1 - Preparation
Chapter 2 Aims, principles and methodologies in talent identification and development
Angela ButtonChapter 3 Expertise: the goal of performance developmentNicola J. Hodges and Joseph Baker
Chapter 4 Psychological characteristics of developing excellence
Áine MacNamaraChapter 5 Talent development environments: key considerations for effective practiceRussell Martindale and Paddy Mortimer
Chapter 6 Implications and applications: views from the performers panel
Dave CollinsSection 2 - Provision (of support)Chapter 7 Introduction: organisational issues in providing supportDave Collins
Chapter 8 Organising for excellence
Veronica BurkeChapter 9 The team perspective: promoting excellence in performance teamsAlan C. MacPherson and Patrick Howard
Chapter 10 Planning for physical performance: the individual perspective. Planning, periodization, prediction, and why the future aint what it used to be
John KielyChapter 11 Practical dimensions of providing for excellence: views from the performers panelDave Collins
Section 3 - Practice
Chapter 12 Introduction: practice regimens for excellence
Dave CollinsChapter 13 Keeping it together: motor control under pressureChris Button, Clare MacMahon and Rich Masters
Chapter 14 Skill acquisition: designing optimal learning environments
Joan N. VickersChapter 15 Effective skill development: how should athletes skills be developed?Andrew Abraham and Dave Collins
Chapter 16 Mental practice: neuroscientific support for a new approach
Paul Holmes and Claire CalmelsChapter 17 Developing the performance brain: decision making under pressureDuncan R.D. Mascarenhas and Nickolas C. Smith
Chapter 18 Practical dimensions of developing skill: views from the performers panel
Dave CollinsSection 4 - PerformanceChapter 19 Introduction: performing on the dayDave Collins
Chapter 20 Coping and mental toughness
Hugh RichardsChapter 21 Emotional issues of peak performance: managing moodSheelagh Rodgers and Britt Tajet-Foxall
Chapter 22 Attention
Aidan MoranChapter 23 Putting it together: skills for pressure performanceMark Wilson and Hugh Richards
Chapter 24 Putting them together: skills packages to optimize team/group performance
Dave Collins and Judy CollinsChapter 25 Practical dimensions of realising your peak performanceDave Collins
Conclusion Where next? Getting help in your pursuit of excellence
Amanda Martindale and Dave Collins
