Sports Confidence Theory Mr P Leighton Mental Preparation

Sports Confidence Theory… Mr. P. Leighton Mental Preparation for Physical Activities Sports Psychology

Today’s Session… l Understand the importance of both TRAIT and STATE confidence. l Develop your knowledge of this by looking at Vealey’s model of sport confidence. l Look at the ways in which STATE sport confidence can be improved.

Sports Confidence Theory… l Vealey (1986) stated that there are 2 factors in sports confidence… l TRAIT SPORT CONFIDENCE (SC Trait) l STATE SPORT CONFIDENCE (SC State)

Trait Sports Confidence… l Is innate and a natural disposition l It is relatively stable. l Different to general confidence- how? l Trait sports confidence is concerned with how a performer rates their own ability to perform across a wide range of sports.

State Sports Confidence… l State sports confidence can be developed through learning. l At that ends it can be changed. l State confidence is concerned with… ¡ …how a performer rates their own ability to perform at one particular moment.

State Sports Confidence in Action… l This determines the quality of how a skill is performed e. g. A Putt in Golf. l A Penalty in Football/Rugby. l l At this ends State Sports confidence is influenced by…

State Sports Confidence Trait Sports Confidence Objective Sports Situation Competitive Orientation

What is The Objective Sports Situation? l The type of skill that is to be performed. l The situation that the skill is to be performed in- i. e. High/Low pressure.

What is Competitive Orientation? l The extent that an individual is prepared to compete. l Whether an individual strives to achieve a PERFORMANCE GOAL or a PRODUCT GOAL.

Vealey’s Model of Sports Confidence… Objective Sport Situation Trait Sports Confidence State Sports Confidence Competitive Orientation Performance of The specific skill Subjective Outcome Of the Skill

What does it mean? The extent to which the athlete perceives the performance has been successful is termed the SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME. l An outcome perceived to be good will increase trait sport confidence and competitiveness. l An outcome deemed to be poor will decrease trait sport confidence and competitiveness. l State Confidence will also decrease. l

Effects of Variation in Levels of Trait Sports Confidence… Decrease in SC Trait and Competitiveness… Depress SC State Increase in SC Trait and Competitiveness… Elevate SC State Reduce Self-Efficacy Increase Self-Efficacy Make the performer less Make the performer confident more confident Avoidance Behaviours Approach Behaviours

How do we improve SC State? l l l Mastery of Skill: When a skill has been acquired and the performer perceives that progress has been made. Styling: Confidence will increase if the performer can demonstrate the skill to significant others. Physical and Mental Preparation: Increases the likelihood of a successful performer. Social Reinforcement: Praise and approval by significant others, within strong team cohesion situation, will raise confidence. Effective Leadership: Promotes confidence within team members. Environmental Comfort: People who lack self confidence will be helped if the working conditions are suitable i. e. novices should not be too closely observed- elite performers at home?