Sport Science - Psychology

The SASI Sport Psychology team (SASI Psych) believe that success and enjoyment in sport is based on three elements:

1. Technical skills
2. Physical fitness
3. Mental skills

Sport psychology focuses its attention on mental skills, the ability to understand and effectively control the 'competition' that goes on in the mind whilst maintaining a good sense of mental well being.

SASI Psych offers a wide range of services, including:

Mental skills training - just like other sporting skills, mental skills need to be learned and practiced. Learning can take place in team or individual sessions and cover:

• Goal setting
• Concentration
• Arousal control (relaxation training - audio tapes, floatation, biofeedback)
• Confidence building
• Visualisation
• Specific skills

Counselling & problem solving - any sport-related or personal issues can be discussed, and athletes are guided toward finding appropriate solutions. Common issues may include:

• Communication/relationship issues
• Sport/school/work-related stress
• Coping with injury
• Eating/body image issues
• Motivation problems

Culture & Building an elite attitude – SASI Psych also works with SASI Coaches and Staff in helping build and Elite Culture within the each SASI Program. This includes having squad values and knowing the behaviours that demonstrate an elite attitude.

Leadership Program – SASI Psych run a Youth Leadership Program aimed at developing the leadership skills in young SASI athletes. The program is a challenging program that covers topics including:

• Defining leadership
• Styles of leadership
• Generational difference and leadership
• Problem solving and a leaders role within a squad
• Self awareness and self-analysis

Our Team
Sport Psychologists: Greg Dimént, Matt McGregor (part time), Suzie Cosh (PhD Scholar)

The Psychology Team has produced some information which may be of use to athletes.

Mental Skills - Goal Setting (34kb PDF)
Mental Skills - Imagery (28kb PDF)
Mental Skills - Music (23kb PDF)
Mental Skills - Progressive Muscular Relaxation (24kb PDF)
Mental Skills - Race Plans (39kb PDF)
Mental Skills - Breathing Control (35kb PDF)

To view publications available in pdf format you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, freely available from Adobe.