Certificate in Sports Psychology

Core studies cover sports psychology, sports nutrition and motivation together, reflecting how closely mental and physical performance are linked. Electives let you add depth through leadership, personal energy management or further nutrition studies. Suitable for coaches, athletes and anyone interested in the psychology behind sporting performance.

Learn more about the impact psychology can have on an athlete's performance. To be successful, an athlete has to have the right physical skills and condition, but they also need appropriate mental skills. Learn to use psychological principles to help athletes to maintain and improve their mental skills to enhance their sporting performance. Cover topics such as choking, self doubt, good nutrition, weight control, relaxation techniques, imagery, psychological theories and more. A must for anyone seriously interested in working with, or already works with, amateur and professional sports people. The course requires the completion of six 100 hour modules. There are three core modules of Motivation, Sports Psychology and Sports Nutrition. You then choose three further modules from a list of electives including topics such as anger management, nutrition, leadership and a range of other topics. Modules CORE MODULES - Motivation VBS111 Through 8 lessons, the Motivation module looks at paths to the motivation of individuals and groups. It considers reinforcement, conditioning, and reward as well as looking at the effect of group influences on personal motivation, and other less direct forms such as space and time management. Being able to properly motivate individuals provides tangible benefits for everyone in a multitude of environments, whether enhancing learning by enabling the student to be more receptive, or increasing productivity in the workplace by engendering a positive culture, you improve the outcome for the individual/group both in terms of the direct result but also for their own personal wellbeing. The module concludes with a special project where a student will apply their newfound knowledge to plan strategies for improving individual’s motivation in the work place. Sports Psychology Sports Psychology is a 100 hour module consisting of eight lessons. During the eight lessons, you will cover - Introduction: Performance Psychology, Exercise Psychology, Environmental Influences, Aspects of Sports Psychology, Applying Sports Psychology. Psychological Traits of Successful Athletes: Personality Inventory, Cognitive Techniques. State of Mind. Anxiety & Arousal, Anxiety, Physiology of Anxiety, Psychology of Anxiety, Arousal, How to Maximise Psychological State, Focusing (or Centering). Motivation : Motivation is the internal impulse that causes increasingly energetic action in a particular direction. Basic Principles, Intrinsic Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation Factors Affecting Motivation, Motivation for fun, Slimming for fun. Aggression: Mental Rehearsal, Error Parking, Using Self Consciousness, Word Association, Anger, Conflict, Measuring Aggression, Simulated Practice, e-Event Procedure, Reliving Success, Positive, Conflict Handling Techniques. Leadership & Coaching: A Coach’s Role, Getting Attention, Questioning, Punishment. Team Dynamics: Group cohesion, Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Traits of an Effective Team, Suitable membership, Appropriate Leadership, Commitment to the Team, Concern for Achieving, Effective Work Methods, Well Organised Team Procedures, Ability To Take Criticism, Creative Strength, Positive Relationships, Positive Environment. Special Groups: Stress, Post Game/Season Evaluation, Gender Differences, Elite Female Athletes, Special Considerations with Female Athletes, Disabled Persons. Children, Readiness, Dropping out. Sports Nutrition BRE303 Through 9 lessons, the Sports Nutrition module looks at diet and nutrition for athletes. Different levels of energy are required at different times and an athletes diet will need to vary to match their physical requirements, whether they be training or in competition. The module considers how energy is utilised in the human body and the athletes needs for proteins, fats, carbohydrates, other nutrients, and fluids. Students will learn about the composition of an athletes body, along with weight management, and the use of dietary supplements. ELECTIVE MODULES YOU NEED TO CHOOSE A FURTHER THREE MODULES FROM THE LIST GIVEN BELOW - Industry Project Research Project I Anger Management Biopsychology Leadership Personal Energy Management Developmental Psychology Health and Wellbeing Neurospsychology Psychopharmacology Human Nutrition I Human Nutrition II Human Nutrition III Introduction to Psychology Nutrition for Weight Control Life Coaching Please note that each module in the Qualification - Certificate in Sports Psychology is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately. Student Comment: " The course was useful for my goalkeeper coaching practises. [It} met my expectations and gave me some good insights; I liked the way the course was structured, especially the way I could work at my own pace WITHOUT any pressure. The course has specifically helped with ideas for motivating players ." Mario Rimati, Football Coach & Phys Ed Teacher - Sports Psychology Student Learn to Recognise the TRAITS OF AN EFFECTIVE TEAM For a team to build properly the following traits do need to be present: Suitable membership The team must include members with complementary skills to get the job done to a high standard. A team must also include complementary roles. Everyone contributes something different to a team, and the team is most functional when the roles people take on are complementary. For example, some people naturally take on a leadership role, others are great at coming up with plans, others are supportive listeners etc. A team with members that take on a variety of roles is likely to be more successful than a team lacking vital roles or where, for example, all members try to take on the role of “leader”. Some combinations of personalities are much more difficult than others to evolve together to produce a team. Team roles are looked at in more depth later in the course. Appropriate Leadership The leaders role is to set the vision and bring the team together. Strong teams have clear leadership, whether the leadership is from a group, an individual or self-managing. Whatever form of leadership is used, it is important that all team members recognise and support the leadership. Leadership styles may vary from time to time in order to be effective (e.g. a coach or captain may need to be democratic at times and more autocratic at other times, according to the situation). Commitment to the Team Team members should be committed to the team. A successful team will have a sense of unity, where victories and defeats are shared. To be highly effective, the team will develop loyalty from its members and a sense of “belonging”. The team will develop a clear identity that the members can associate with. Concern for Achieving The team should develop a shared vision, with common goals. All must be not only aware of objectives, but also in total agreement. In a successful team, the individual should be focused on the common goal of the team, and not strive for individual credit (rather, feel valued as a team member whether in the spotlight or not). Effective and Well Organised Work Methods and Procedures An effective team will develop formalised roles and responsibilities. Each individual will be accountable for their area, whilst still having collective responsibility for the overall team performance. The team member will understand what is expected of them, and what they need to do to perform successfully. Having these guidelines clearly defined allows members to take ownership for their role and responsibilities. Ground rules are established to provide direction, and gives guidelines on how to deal with decisions, discipline and disagreements. Ability to Take Criticism All criticism should be delivered respectfully and constructively, with the purpose of improving performance, rather than degrading the team member. A team member must be able to take on board this constructive criticism and use it in a positive manner. Creative Strength Creative strength is the ability for new ideas and approaches to develop from interactions that occurs between members. One of the strengths of working as a team, rather than as an individual is the coming together of each member’s unique viewpoint. A successful team will use these differing views in a synergistic way, where the sum is greater than the parts. Positive Relationships All team members are conscious of the benefits of interactions occurring between members on an interpersonal level. Team members should treat each other with respect, and develop mutual trust. Positive Environment A non-threatening and always optimistic/positive environment. The leader has a big part to play in creating a positive environment for the team. If you are interesting in learning more about psychological principles and theories to help improve sporting performance in yourself and others, then why not enrol and find out more about sporting psychology. WHAT NEXT? Register to Study - Go to “It’s Easy to Enrol” box at the top of the page and you can enrol now. or Get Advice – Email us at info@acsedu.co.uk OR Use our FREE COUNSELLING SERVICE to contact a tutor CLICK TO CONTACT US