Sports Psychology is the study of how psychology influences performance. Although it typically targets athletic performance, many of the goals and techniques in sports psychology are indirectly associated with performance in other areas. In adults this can translate to job performance. In children and adolescents goals and techniques can be easily connected to school and social performance. Some of the goals include:
• Controlling and reducing emotion/anxiety
• Improving focus and concentration
• Setting goals
• Building self-confidence
• Recovering from injury
• Controlling and reducing emotion/anxiety
• Improving focus and concentration
• Setting goals
• Building self-confidence
• Recovering from injury
Dr. Heitzman applies his understanding of neuropsychology and developmental psychology in his work with children and adolescents in sports. Sometimes the children and adoelscents that he works with are athletes looking to improve their performance by working on their mental skills. Others may be interested in sports but struggling with inattention, impulsivity, confidence, anxiety or emotional control.
In sports - as in school and other areas of their life - children experience success when they balance confidence with capacity. As parents we often strive to give our children the opportunities to develop their capacity in sports and school, and we assume that confidence will simply follow. However, confidence can develop or slip away due to many reasons, only some of which may be connected to their actual ability in a sport.
As they get older a child's "psychology" of confidence, self-esteem, emotion and mental skill has a changing influence on his or her performance. Understanding this balance is critical across all areas of development. This is especially true when an athlete suffers and injury (e.g., concussion) and attempts to come back from it.