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Introduction WORDS BY NATHAN SMITH & LAURA HEALY We sometimes get posed the question “Which books should I read to get an understanding of psychology in sport?� This is obviously a very contentious subject and everyone has his or her own perspective. However, we believe that this collection of books provides an introduction for anyone wanting to learn about the discipline. In this collection we have mixed works of popular science with more academic texts. We have tried to provide a broad introduction to what is a vast and complicated subject. Starting with a neuropsychological mindmodel, born out of clinical psychiatry, and finishing with a more traditional researchbased academic text, these books provide a perfect beginning for anyone wanting to learn about the various complexities of researching and applying sport psychology. With these five books you can be sure that your sport psychology library is off to a very good start!
The Chimp Paradox Ebury Publishing
The Chimp
Paradox BY DR STEVE PETERS Do you ever do something and wish you hadn’t? Perhaps you should be training but instead you sit on the sofa and watch the telly? Maybe you procrastinate but deep down want to be more productive? Well now’s your chance. Welcome to The Chimp Paradox, the famed book on how to manage your mind. Dr Steve Peters has successfully implemented the principles discussed within the book with the Team Sky and British Cyclists, at Liverpool football club, and with other high profile clients. The book provides a simple yet well-discussed overview of the mind-management model. Beginning with the brain, Peters takes you on a journey, introducing you to your chimp and how to spot when the chimp rather than the human is in control. As the model develops, the solar system expands. We begin to understand how to care for and nurture out chimp, how to engage the human and moderate behaviour with our computer. Overall, if you want to learn about the brain and get more out of yourself in sport or in life, The Chimp Paradox is well worth a read. A recommended read for parents, coaches, athletes and practicing sport psychologists.
Bounce BY MATTHEW SYED The nature-nurture debate is as old as psychology itself. Taking me back to my A-level psychology course, I remember thrashing out different issues related to dominance of nature or nurture. In sport, it is generally acknowledged that nature and nurture interact leading to certain developmental and performance accomplishments. In Bounce, Syed makes a compelling case for the dominance of nurture and the importance of opportunity. Whilst the book rather underplays the role of genetics, it provides a number of excellent examples of where effort, hard work and practice result in great success. Growing out of the arbitrary 10,000-hour rule, the focus of the book is to provide evidence that anybody can become a champion if they work hard enough. The included discussions raise interesting theoretical questions and therefore have application to both research and practice. Overall, a good introduction to what is a popular area of psychology in sport, written in an engaging format perfect for a broad readership. A recommended read for athletes and budding sport psychology researchers.
Bounce Harper Perennial
Soccer Tough Bennion Kearny
Soccer Tough BY DAN ABRAHAMS It is sometimes difficult to take what we know in research and apply it into practice. In Soccer Tough, Dan Abrahams does that for you. The book is rife with examples of how you can apply psychological skills, such as imagery, self-talk and performance routines. Further, it helps us understand the mind-set that is needed to reach the peak of a notoriously challenging and competitive sport. A particularly pleasing aspect of the book is how Dan utilises the discussed psychological skills with the reader. From the beginning your imagination is running wild and you are prompted to consider different situations and use the skills that you will hopefully go on to teach. Abrahams adopts a user-friendly format with clean simple layouts; this makes for a more pleasurable experience when picking up the text. Perfect for coaches and athletes interested in understanding how to apply psychological skills in a typically fast-paced environment. A recommended read for coaches or athletes interested in the application of psychological skills.
Gold Rush BY MICHAEL JOHNSON Containing examples from his own personal experiences, as well as interviews with other high profile athletes (including Chris Hoy, Daley Thompson, Michael Phelps and Steve Redgrave), in Gold Rush Michael Johnson discusses the many aspects which contribute to success at the highest level. The book has a specific chapter on psychology (titled “Mental Games”); however there are aspects of sport psychology running throughout the book, including chapters on coaches, training, motivation and competition. The beautiful use of personal experiences really brings the subject to life, and provides a unique insight into elite performance. Gold Rush is well-written, thoughtful and intriguing, and while it doesn’t make practical recommendations for coaches, athletes or sport psychology professionals, it is a fascinating and enjoyable read for anyone interested in top-level sport. A recommended read for students and educators who want real-world quotes and examples to bring life to the subject.
Gold Rush Harper Sport
Social Psychology of Sport Human Kinetics Publishers
Social Psychology of Sport
BY SOPHIA JOWETT & DAVID LAVALEE A more academic text in the Social Psychology of Sport, however don’t write it off as a bore. This book could certainly appeal to a wide variety of people. Written for the academic market with references, bibliography and all, the topics centre on how the social context created by coaches, parents or peers, impacts upon an athlete or group of athletes. Including contributions from some of the worlds leading sport psychology researchers, this book is a goto resource when trying to find out what has been done and what remains to be researched in a social setting in sport. Writing is detailed yet still accessible to a non-academic reader. Some excellent chapters are included on the role of coaches, specifically how they can create an environment to support the development of their athletes. As such, this book would appeal to determined and open-minded coaches who want to get the best out of their athletes. In addition, this text should be a given for anyone embarking on a research career in sport psychology. Our favourite chapter is by Joan Duda and Isabel Balaguer on the coach-created motivational climate. A recommended read for the committed sports coach and sport psychology researcher.