What does a sports psychologist actually do? (w. Alex Stoyel)
Jan 15, 2024
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Alex Stoyel, a sports psychologist, joins the host to discuss the role of sports psychologists in football, breaking down barriers, the portrayal of psychologists in media, choking and motivation in elite football, and the importance of proactive mental health support.
Sports psychologists focus on improving athletes' mental performance and overall well-being.
Choking in sports occurs when athletes become too conscious of their performance, hindering their natural skills.
Psychological support in youth football academies is important for young players to handle pressure and develop their psychological well-being.
Deep dives
The Role of Sports Psychology in Football
Sports psychologist Alex Stoyle discusses the role of sports psychology in football. Stoyle explains that sports psychology is a study of the mind and behavior, focusing not only on thoughts and emotions, but also on actions and decision-making. The goal of a sports psychologist is to provide tools and techniques to help athletes improve their mental performance, enhance their confidence, and achieve their goals. Different approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, are used to address specific psychological issues. Stoyle also emphasizes the importance of creating an environment that fosters psychological well-being and allows athletes to thrive.
Understanding Choking in Sports
Alex Stoyle delves into the phenomenon of choking in sports. Choking refers to a temporary, acute underperformance that is out of character and falls outside the expected range. Stoyle explains that choking can occur when athletes become too aware of their performance and are unable to perform their skills naturally. He discusses his research on choking and highlights the challenges in defining and studying the phenomenon. Stoyle also explores the psychological factors that contribute to choking and the strategies used to prevent and overcome it.
Psychological Support in Youth Academies
The role of psychology and mental health care in youth football academies is explored. Stoyle acknowledges the increasing recognition of the importance of psychology in youth development and the inclusion of sports psychologists in category one academies. However, he notes the need for further improvement in the provision of psychological support in academies and highlights the challenges faced by limited resources and the wide range of responsibilities. Stoyle emphasizes the significance of embedding sports psychology in academy environments to help young players deal with pressure, scrutiny, and develop their psychological well-being early in their careers.
The importance of automatic execution in high-pressure moments
During stressful moments, athletes who have honed their skills for thousands of hours may inadvertently try to bring more conscious attention to their actions, which can disrupt their automatic execution. Rather than relying on muscle memory and letting their skills take over, they begin to overthink and analyze the various components of their performance. For example, instead of simply kicking the ball or swinging a golf club without conscious thought, they start considering their foot placement, hip movement, and other technical details. This shift from expert automatic execution to novice-like analysis can hinder their performance.
Balancing performance and player well-being in professional football
In managing player well-being and maximizing performance, a balance must be struck. While there can be a tension between prioritizing winning and player welfare, there is a growing recognition that a happy athlete tends to perform better. The pressure to win and perform can be intense, but it is crucial to prioritize the psychological well-being of players. Sport psychologists play a role in providing tools and skills to athletes, but ultimately, the decision to play through difficult moments or take a step back for the well-being of a player lies with the athlete and the club. Efforts are being made within football clubs to address player welfare issues, such as mental health, and provide support beyond the playing field.
