Sports Psychology

Sports Psychology is the science that studies the behavior of people involved in exercise and sport. More specifically, it is addressed to:

• athletes,
• coaches,
• parents of athletes,
• referees,
• Physical Education teachers,

while at the same time it collaborates with:

• physiotherapists,
• ergometric centers, and
• dietitians

for the management of athlete-related issues.

However, systematic psychological preparation has been wrongly associated only with some kind of “problem” or only with high-level competitive sport. It is now widely accepted that both coaches and athletes need to practice and work on their psychological skills.

Why should I work with a Sports Psychologist?
Psychological skills need to be developed simultaneously with physical skills; otherwise, an “imbalance” is created, which may become a source of “problems” at later stages of an athletic career.

In conclusion, the “work” of the sports psychologist can be identified in three dimensions – directions:

Collaboration with the athlete & the coach with the aim of maximizing athletic performance.

Collaboration with the parent with the aim of addressing broader issues related to the behavior of the child-athlete outside the athletic process, such as at school, in relationships with peers, in increasing self-confidence, etc.

The aim of the sports psychologist is to help the athlete or the team, and even the coach, reach their maximum athletic performance at the right time, and to eliminate all those factors that may prevent the achievement of that goal. In this context, the psychological preparation program includes:

(a) assessment – carried out through the administration of valid and reliable psychometric tools, interviewing, and observation during both training sessions and competitions
(b) learning techniques
(c) application of the techniques in competition, and
(d) re-evaluation and setting new goals

Sports Psychology is a special field because it deals with unique individuals. It deals with people who often have a particular psychological makeup, a distinct personality, a heightened ego, but also rare abilities. It is very important for a Sports Psychologist to have been a high-level athlete in order to help athletes to the fullest, as they are called upon to face highly stressful yet also remarkable situations throughout their careers.

Froso Patsou
M.Sc. Psychologist – Sports Psychologist
Scientific Associate of the National Track & Field Team
Tel.: 6982.89.28.32
www.idealpsychology.gr