Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Poor
We have provided a few ways, with the assistance of other scholars to improve how each individual approaches their sport.
What needs to be done if the score is EXCELLENT 16-32
Just because they have received an excellent score, and therefore seem to deal very well with their own levels of stress, anxiety, arousal and concentration, skill perception and motivation, doesn't mean that this cannot change very quickly.
Therefore, as a Coach it is your responsibility to ensure that these levels are at least maintained, if not improved further.
Some management techniques include :
- Maintaining good nutrition. This is out of your control, all you can do is ask the player and encourage healthy eating at the right times of the day. Also, an increase in water consumption helps.
(Atkinson, 2004)
- Regular Exercise. Obviously, playing your sport, they are doing that already. But once those levels of exercise drop, more energy is being stored and not used, and therefore focus and concentration begin to suffer, and the player begins to muck around and lose interest in the game.
(Atkinson 2004)
- Regular Sleep patterns, healthy ones of course. Again, this is out of your control, but it can be encouraged. Ironically, lack of sleep is caused by stress, and vice versa. This is really the players' responsibility. But as a Coach, if you make them aware that sleep will tamper with performance, then the player may feel obligated to have an early night.
(Atkinson, 2004)
- Daily Relaxation. Whether it comes in front of the TV, or quiet reflection time and visualisation, relaxation is the key to ensuring good mental health.
(Atkinson, 2004)
What needs to be done if the score is GOOD, OR SATISFACTORY 33-58.
Obviously, there is always room for improvement. There is nothing wrong with having some level of stress, anxiety or problems with motivation and concentration. Research shows that having a modicum of stress or anxiety is stimulating and improves performance, but too much can be debilitating. (Partridge, 2000).
Therefore, it is a judgement call on your behalf, the Coach. If you feel their performance and psychological health is not suffering as a result of this score, then taking no action is a positive step. However, if you feel you would like to get them into that excellent bracket, and really see if you can get your players to reach their potential, then refer to below for ways to do this.
What needs to be done if the score is UNSATISFACTORY OR POOR 59-80.
The following are a brief list of steps that may help is improving a player's traits scores. It is kept brief, because your interpretation of it as a Coach and how you apply it to your player is crucial for your collective development. (Hansen, Gilbert, Hamel, 2003).
Keep in mind, these techniques ARE NOT quick fix. Regular application of these will need to occur over an extended period of time. (Hansen, et.al 2003).
- adequate sleep and nutrition
- secure, stable training environment
- supportive learning environment
- player and Coach recognition that there is help needed
- regular talks and listening exercises on the Coaches behalf
- finding a good outlet : running, walking, kicking a ball, punching a bag
- deep breathing and focus exercises (eg. 5 mins of deep breathing)
- stretching exercises (releases tension, improves mobility)
- help the player to understand to handle things that are in their control
- put performance or problem into context and perspective
- help player to identify the source of a problem and identify:
why it is a problem; who can help to deal with it; what needs to be done
(Partridge, 2000)
16-32
33-45
46-58
59-69
70-80
Anxiety
Arousal/
Concentration
Skill Level
Motivation
11-13
14-16
17-18
19-22
