The Sport Psych Show

Dr. Scott Goldman, a licensed clinical psychologist and sport psychologist for the Golden State Warriors, shares insights on the psychology of team selection. He discusses the evolving responsibilities of sports psychologists in fostering team culture and mental health. Goldman delves into the complexities of player dynamics, including the impact of the transfer portal and NIL rights. He emphasizes the crucial role of authenticity in player evaluations and highlights the emotional stakes during the draft process, showcasing the importance of empathy in understanding young athletes.

In this insightful talk, Dave Bright, a dedicated coach and Senior Lecturer at Chichester University, teams up with Dr. Oliver Runswick, a Senior Lecturer at King's College London. They explore the intricate relationship between cognitive load and skill acquisition, particularly in martial arts. The guests emphasize the 'Challenge Point' concept, discussing how task difficulty can enhance motivation and learning. They also dive into the psychological nuances of coaching in high-stress environments, including the unique challenges faced in sports like UFC and the importance of trust in coach-student relationships.

I’m delighted to welcome back coach and coach developer, Dr Jamie Taylor in this episode. Jamie’s interests lie in performance enhancement in sport, specifically in coaching, coach development, high performance and talent development. Jamie is Assistant Professor in Elite Performance at Dublin City University and a senior coach developer at Grey Matters, a company specialising in performance enhancement and coaching development for individuals, sporting/cultural organisations and systems. In this episode, Jamie and I discuss his new book, co-edited with Prof Dave Collins, entitled ‘Sport Skill Acquisition: Integrating Theory and Practice’. The book carefully and critically considers the expanding knowledge of skill acquisition and motor control, with a focus on application, examining three major theoretical perspectives that dominate the field: cognitive, ecological dynamics, and predictive processing. Jamie and Prof Dave Collins use their combined wisdom as coaches, coach developers, and expert sport psychology practitioners to offer practical advice on blending theoretical approaches, using examples from a variety of sports and activities. For those looking to improve their work with performers, Sport Skill Acquisition provides a road map for choosing the best approach for each unique situation to develop skills for optimal sport performance.

Prof. Stephen Harvey, a Sport Pedagogy expert at Ohio University, and Dr. Ed Cope, a Lecturer in Sport Coaching at Loughborough University, dive into enhancing player learning strategies. They discuss the crucial balance between theory and practice, emphasizing game-based learning for better engagement. Cognitive load theory plays a key role in optimizing coaching methods, ensuring training meets individual player needs. The duo shares insights on the importance of personalized coaching strategies to foster effective decision-making and player development.

I’m delighted to welcome back Dr Josie Perry in this week’s episode. Josie is a chartered sport psychologist, working mainly 1-1 with athletes – from novice athletes just starting out through to world champions. She teaches athletes the skills they need to overcome barriers to success and ensures they feel more comfortable and confident when they compete. Josie is also an author, writing features for magazines including cycling weekly. In this episode we discuss her latest book “ADHD in Sport: Strategies for Success”. The book illuminates the ADHD brain in sporting environments, looks at the benefits of exercise on ADHD, the impact of ADHD traits on sporting performance, has chapters full of tools to help wellbeing, training and competition, information on cooccurring conditions and ADHD medication in sport and concludes with chapters for coaches, parents and partners.

In this engaging discussion, Jason Dorland, a former Olympic rower and now a coach, shares valuable insights from his athletic journey. He reflects on the transformation from competition to collaboration, emphasizing mental well-being in sports. Jason dives into the aggressive mindset of rowing, revealing its long-term impacts. He discusses the unique culture of the Olympics, highlighting the bonds formed among athletes. Lastly, he stresses the importance of vulnerability in coaching, advocating for a more personal approach to training.

Dr. Alex Auerbach, a performance psychologist with experience in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and elite military units, shares his insights on the mental challenges of high-performance environments. He discusses his new book, which aims to guide athletes in the pursuit of excellence, bridging mental health and peak performance. Topics include the importance of mental resilience, self-regulation, and daily habits in achieving peak performance. Auerbach also highlights innovative therapeutic approaches that enhance psychological flexibility, essential for sustained excellence.

Dr. Matthew Andrew, a senior lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, shares compelling insights on talent development in female soccer. He discusses a study that reveals the key developmental activities for professional players in England. Matthew emphasizes the importance of structured practice blending enjoyment, while also highlighting the influence of coaching and mixed-gender training. He compares the talent identification processes in women's soccer between the US and the UK, offering cross-cultural insights that could enhance future talent development strategies.

In conversation with Dr. Hillary Cauthen, a seasoned clinical sport psychologist and the founder of Texas Optimal Performance, the focus is on supporting athletes through trauma. Hillary discusses her journey in breaking down mental health stigma in sports and highlights the crucial role of psychologists in fostering open communication. She introduces a traffic light system for performance psychology to enhance trust in teams. The discussion also dives into the intricate links between mental health and performance, advocating for a systemic approach to athlete wellness.

Dr. Sebastian Harenberg, an Associate Professor in Sport Psychology at St. Francis Xavier University and Certified Mental Performance Consultant, dives deep into the nuances of positional competition in team sports. He reveals how team hierarchies and player evaluations impact athletes' mental health. Understanding the psychological challenges faced by 'bubble players,' he emphasizes the need for empathetic communication and effective coaching. Harenberg also discusses the significance of ongoing research to enhance athletes' experiences and foster better team dynamics.