Psychological Factors in Sports

The “yips” is a term commonly used in golf.  It describes sudden and unexplained losses of fine motor skills which impact on putting strokes and golfers chipping action.  It is argued that somewhere between 32 and 47% of serious golfers have been affected by the yips at some point.  The yips can be a very complex challenge to overcome where many golfers simply change technique and equipment numerous times.  Sports psychologists are advocates of the use of hypnosis, relaxation and visualisation techniques, as well as carefully thought out practice routines to help golfers regain confidence and trust in their putting stroke. 

In this bitesize episode #163 of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, my colleague Dr Alessia Bruno tells you more about the yips, what happens in the brain as well as offering you some hope if you experience this debilitating condition, where she refers to techniques such as Brainspotting and EMDR as a way to help you enjoy your golf or sport again.

Key Learning Points:

• The yips is a type of performance anxiety where motor skills are impacted.
• Golfers tend to become very rigid and controlling when performing a skill.
• The yips is a serious problem which can seep into other areas of your sport.
• The yips can cause many athletes to quit their sport.
• When the yips occurs, a fight or flight or freeze response occurs.
• The limbic system is activated when we’re fearful, especially the amygdala.
• Brainspotting and EMDR are techniques that allow us to process the memory without getting activated when we play golf or sport.

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To Listen to Other Useful Podcast Episodes

Ep013: Karl Morris – How to stay present like a major champion

Ep012: Alessia Bruno – The Yips, Crashes, Trauma in Sport there is hope for Athletes

Ep092: Dr James Hegarty – ACT in Sport, Improving Performance through Mindfulness

Ep101: Compilation – 25 Mental Game Secrets to Improve Your Golf

Ep156: Ruth Chiles – There is Hope: How to Overcome Focal Dystonia

For More Resources so You Can Shoot Lower Scores on The Golf Course

10 Mental Game Tips from Leading Experts to Improve Your Golf

Do you try too hard on the golf course?

Psychology of Golf Library

Today in episode #162 of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast I chat with Sun Sachs and Ed Gibbins, owners of Rewire Fitness about flow states.  When you have a sense of control, are at peace, have a quiet mind and an inner calmness about you.  We discuss the characteristics and importance of flow states, as well as touching on how you can find “flow.”

Key Learning Points:

• Understanding self-care can help perfectionist athletes.
• The perfectionist can be relentless in their pursuit of excellence impacting negatively on their relationships and other areas of their life.
• Taking yourself and situations too seriously can be a trap perfectionists fall into.
• A flow state is where your mind is calm, your awareness is increased and you make quick smart decisions.
• When you are in flow you aren’t thinking about the past or future, it is the here and now.
• A quality of flow is a loss of self-consciousness and a task only focus.
• Visualisation, Mindfulness and Sports Hypnosis are great ways to get into the Flow.
• What is your “flow trigger?” If you haven’t got one, create one!

Connect with Sun Sachs and Ed Gibbins @ Rewire Fitness

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To Listen to Flow State Related Podcast Episodes

Ep002: Steve Judge –  How to Deal with Adversity

Ep007: Toby Flood – How Elite Athletes Mentally Prepare

Ep063: David Charlton – 7 Reasons Why Golfers Should Visualise

Ep 081: Stuart Wade – Mental Toughness in Combat Sports

Ep099: Trevor Jones – How to Deal with Overthinking on the Golf Course

Blogs to read to induce a Flow State

3 Ways to use Visualisation so that You are Mentally Prepared to Win

How to Quieten the Mind when Fighting

My Child Can’t Find “The Zone”

Using ACT and Mindfulness to Improve Your Sporting Performances

Why You Should Meditate To Improve Your Sport Performance?

3 Great conversations to have with your kids that relate with flow states

Conversations with Kids – Relax and Unwind

Conversations with Kids – Gratitude 1

Conversations with Kids – Gratitude 2

In episode #161 I chat with Author, Coach Educator and Performance Rugby Consultant, Paul Phillips.  We discuss his experiences of developing high performance cultures in professional rugby.  Paul also shares some research on tackling and how to overcome fears with helpful triggers as well as other fascinating insights.

Key Learning Points:

• In Rugby at the lower levels fear is very prominent.
• Establishing values and behaviours that are coupled with a vision for the team and club is an essential part of culture development.
• Why can’t we generate behaviours before thoughts and emotions?
• James Clear’s two-minute rule in the book Atomic Habits is a good way to start to develop habitual behaviours.
• The size of the opponent in rugby can be a big factor in activating fear.
• Visual, kinaesthetic and auditory cues and triggers are helpful in dealing with fear when tackling.
• Using metaphors such as images of animals or superhero’s is a helpful trigger for adults and children.
• The development of positive relationships between players and coaches is a hallmark of high performing teams.
• Extrinsic environments are rife largely down to the way messages are communicated from senior staff and coaches in clubs and organisations.
• Too much focus on external factors results in lower emotional control.

Connect with Paul Phillips

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Book: How to Create Culture: In Rugby Union

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To Listen to Rugby Orientated Podcast Episodes

Ep039: John Fletcher – How to Develop Fearless Athletes

Ep094: Professor Adam Nicholls – How to Develop Mentally Strong Rugby Players

Ep104: Seb De Chaves –  The Psychological Demands of Elite Professional Rugby

Ep127: Paul Trainor – The Application of Mental Toughness Training in Elite Professional Rugby League

EP147: Aaron Walsh – The Application of Mental Performance Coaching in Elite Professional Rugby

Ep153: Rugby Psychology Compilation – 25 Ways You Can Improve Your Performance

Helpful Rugby Orientated Resources

Blog – Overthinking on the Rugby Pitch

Blog – Are You A Rugby Player With Perfectionist Tendencies?

Case Study – Supporting a Rugby Player to Overcome Self-Doubt

Blog – Playing Rugby at Your Best Under Pressure

Blog – 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment

Rugby Psychology | Mental Skills for Rugby Resources

– Golf Psychology is only for top, elite professionals such as Rory McIlroy or Jon Rahm. 

– Only work with a Golf Psychologist if you have a problem.

– A Golf Psychologist will fix you in one session.

– Working with a Golf Psychologist will take place on a “couch.”

These statements are all myths that some golfers believe are true yet couldn’t be farther from the truth.   The role of a Sport Psychologist who supports golfers is varied.  It includes sitting down strategizing and going “deep” at times with the use of psychological skills training.  However, it also includes considering more helpful ways to practice and how to manage your time on and off the golf course.  Sessions can take place in a club houses, in confidential spaces, on putting greens, chipping greens, driving ranges and on golf courses.

In today’s episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, Dr Brian Hemmings joins me  where we discuss his work as a Sports Psychologist in golf, the importance of the relationship between the practitioner, the coach and client, as well as frequent challenges faced by golfers, quiet eye training and a lot more.  Enjoy Tuning in!

Key Learning Points:

• There is less of a stigma of working with a psychologist in golf than a lot of sports.
• The golf environment is a lovely place to work for a golf psychologist.
• Many golfers lose confidence so quickly when playing competitively.
• The relationship you form with the golfer is critical.
• Experiential knowledge of working with players on putting greens and seeing them behave differently in practice has helped me in my work.
• Expectations that people place on themselves can mean they make golf a lot more difficult than it needs to be.
• Quiet eye training is very helpful for improving short putting.
• Many golfers find transitions very challenging, from the step up to national squads to, turning professional to moving up to the DP World Tour.

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Golf Psychology Coaching Certificate – PROMO CODE – David Charlton

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To Listen to Other Useful Podcast Episodes

Ep017: Gio Valiante – How to Play Fearless Golf

Ep068: Andrew Nicholson – How Hard Is It To Become A Tour Professional Golfer? 

Ep089: Will Shaw – How to Transfer Your Golfing Skills to the Course

Ep099: Trevor Jones – How to Deal with Overthinking on the Golf Course

Ep101: Compilation – 25 Mental Game Secrets to Improve Your Golf

Ep118: Dr Bob Winters – How to Help Golfers Overcome their Mental Game Challenges

For More Resources so You Can Shoot Lower Scores on The Golf Course

10 Mental Game Tips from Leading Experts to Improve Your Golf

Do you try too hard on the golf course?

Golfers Mental Scorecard

Golf Psychology FAQs

Psychology of Golf Library

Mental Health in sport is a topic which over the last decade has become more significant and a big talking point with many elite athletes and coaches openly talking about their personal challenges and struggles.  Yet do clubs and organisations take their needs seriously? In some cases, this is arguable.  Though, thankfully it is changing for the better.

Today’s guest, Dr Paul Gorczynski and I discuss this topic where he talks about his interest in mental health, his research in the development and implementation of mental health literacy strategies.  He shares some great advice for decision makers in organisations as well as useful ideas for Sport and Exercise Psychologists who have an interest in mental health and psychological well-being.

Key Learnings

• Mental health literacy refers to the knowledge and understanding of mental health, including the ability to recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness, understand the causes and risk factors, and know how to access appropriate resources and support.
• Mental Health Literacy projects Paul has been involved with include work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) where he looked at improving diagnosis and treatments for elite athletes and shifting the culture in relation to how mental health was viewed.
• Athletes have a life outside of sport therefore a holistic approach is required.
• As a Sport and Exercise Psychologist it is essential to recognise the limits of what you know and can help someone.  Having a clear referral process to more qualified mental health practitioners is essential.
• Helping people in sporting clubs and organisations to engage in open and informed conversations about mental health and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and well-being is a large part of mental health literacy policies.
• Having mental health literacy is important for individuals to take care of their own mental health.
• Mental health literacy can support athletes or coaches who may be struggling with mental health issues.  It can also help by increasing awareness and understanding, promoting early intervention and treatment, and improving overall mental health outcomes.

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Connect with Dr Paul Gorczynski

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Relevant Podcast Episodes

Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky – Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport

Ep066: Marilyn Okoro – Mental Health and Resilience: Lessons from an Olympic Medalist

Ep113: Polly Brennan – The Relationship Between Mental Fitness, Mental Health and Mental Toughness

Ep123: Richard Dorney MBE – Supporting People: What Can You Learn About Resilience From The Military

Ep128: Paula Eddy-Wilcox – Can You Show Vulnerability and Be Mentally Tough? Yes!

Relevant Blogs

Blog – Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance

Blog – 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment

Blog – 3 Tips to Deal with Bullying in Sport

Blog – Creating a Mentally Healthy Sporting Environment

Blog – Life After Professional Sport and its Challenges