Sports psychology focuses on how psychological factors impact the performance of professional athletes, coaches and sports teams, sportspeople and teams at an amateur level, and non-athletes looking to become more active. They also study how exercise can improve health and well-being.
The difference between winning and losing can hinge on the smallest of margins. When it comes to sports, we tend to focus most of our attention on being in peak physical condition as the key to success. But having a good mental state can be just as important – that's where sports psychologists come into play. They can focus on a variety of aspects, including motivation, performance enhancement, team building, injury rehabilitation and much more.
Sports psychologist personality traits
Our fictional famous sports psychologist
Dr Sharon Fieldstone is the clinical sports psychologist bought in by AFC Richmond in the TV series, Ted Lasso. She's initially hired to help the team's striker, Dani Rojas, overcome a traumatic event he experiences when taking a penalty kick. With Dr Fieldstone's sports counselling sessions, Rojas overcomes his trauma and plays a key role in his team’s success.
The potential sports psychology careers
