Table of Contents

ASEP Silver Level Series Preface
Preface
Acknowledgments

Part ICreating a Solid Foundation
Chapter 1Coaching Philosophy
Developing a Positive Coaching Philosophy
Understanding Competition and Using It Constructively

Chapter 2Communication
What Is Communication?
Sending Effective Messages
Attentive Listening
Conflicts and Confrontations

Chapter 3Introduction to Mental Skills Training
Psychological Factors and Performance Excellence
Does MST Work?
The MST Approach
Roadblocks and Myths Surrounding MST
Developing MST

Part IIDeveloping Mental Training Tools
Chapter 4Goal Setting
What Are Goals and Why Use Them?
Characteristics of Effective Goals
Making Goals Work: The Goal Implementation Process
Developing Athletes' Goal-Setting Skills

Chapter 5Imagery
What Is Imagery?
Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Imagery
Using Imagery Effectively
Developing an Imagery Training Program

Chapter 6Relaxation and Energization
What Is Relaxation?
Relaxation Strategies
What Is Energization?
Energization Strategies
Developing Athletes' Relaxation and Energization Skills

Chapter 7Self-Talk
What Is Self-Talk?
How Self-Talk Works
Positive Versus Negative Thinking
Optimizing Self-Talk
Developing Athletes' Smart-Talk Skills

Part IIIEnhancing Mental Skills
Chapter 8Motivation
What Is Motivation?
Athletes' Needs and Intrinsic Motivation
Impact of Rewards
Handling Success and Failure
Creating a Mastery-Oriented Motivational Atmosphere

Chapter 9Energy Management
Understanding Energy Management
How Does Arousal Affect Performance?
Why Underarousal and Overarousal Impair Performance
Determining Optimal Energy Zones
Mental Side of Arousal
Developing Athletes' Energy Management Skills

Chapter 10Attention
Understanding Attention
Attentional Capacity
Selective Attention
Sustaining Focus: Concentration
Implementing an Attentional Skills Program

Chapter 11Stress Management
Understanding Stress
Stress Management
Developing Athletes' Stress Management Skills

Chapter 12Self-Confidence
Understanding Self-Confidence
Conceptualizing Self-Confidence
Boosting Self-Confidence
Developing Team Confidence
Developing and Maintaining Self-Confidence During Competition
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Confidence Booster or Deflator?
Developing Athletes' Self-Confidence
Final Thoughts: Developing Ultimate Confidence

Part IVIntegrating Mental Training Tools and Skills
Chapter 13Mental Plans
Understanding Mental Plans
Types of Mental Plans
Role of Triggers, Releases, and Cue Words
Developing Mental Plans
Developing Athletes' Mental Toughness Skills

Chapter 14Mental Skills Training Programs
Getting Started
Components of Effective MST Programs
Implementing a Basic MST Program

Appendix A: Answers to Review Questions
Appendix B: Relaxation and Energization Scripts
Appendix C: Test of Performance Strategies
Glossary
References and Resources
Index
About the Authors

About the Author

Damon Burton is a professor of sport psychology at the University of Idaho and has taught undergraduate and graduate applied sport psychology courses since 1983. At Idaho, Burton created master's and doctoral programs to develop sport psychology consultants with strong backgrounds in both counseling and performance enhancement. A fellow and former president of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), he is an AASP-certified consultant and past chair of the certification committee. A former athlete and coach who has worked extensively in coaching education for almost 30 years, educating over 4,500 coaches, Burton has consulted with coaches and athletes from youth sport to Olympic and professional levels on the development of mental skills in both individual and team settings. He coauthored Competitive Anxiety in Sport, authored or coauthored numerous research studies evaluating the effectiveness of mental skills training programs, and supervised or mentored many master's and doctoral students in their work helping coaches and athletes develop mental skills. Burton is past chair of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Sport Psychology Academy and a longtime member of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA). He earned a master's degree in sport psychology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a PhD in sport psychology from the University of Illinois, specializing in applied sport psychology and coaching education.

Thomas D. Raedeke is associate professor of sport and exercise psychology at East Carolina University. Since 1992, Raedeke has taught graduate and undergraduate applied sport psychology courses focusing on coaching education and mental skills training at the University of Oregon, University of Colorado, and East Carolina University, earning the University of North Carolina's Board of Governor Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award in 2007. A research expert on motivation, stress, and burnout, Raedeke has worked with athletes and coaches from a variety of sport types and skill levels. He is a certified consultant through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), where he is chair of the Health and Exercise Psychology Committee. He is also a member of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Raedeke is past chair of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) Sport and Exercise Psychology Academy. A former collegiate wrestler, Dr. Raedeke earned his master's degree from the University of Idaho and a PhD from the University of Oregon, with a focus on sport and exercise psychology. He has also served as a research assistant in sport psychology at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and as an instructor for American Sport Education Program (ASEP) coaching courses.