Journal Article


BPS DSEP position statement: Psychological skills training in youth sport

Abstract

Young athletes have become an increasingly important client group for sport psychology practitioners and a population whose physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development should be carefully considered by a practitioner when delivering their services (Visek et al., 2009). The aim of this British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP) position statement is to summarise existing knowledge about psychological skills training (PST) interventions and discuss optimal service provision of PST in youth sport. In the first section of this position statement, we provide a brief overview of the literature exploring PST during childhood (5–11 years), early adolescence (12–15 years), and mid-to-late adolescence (16–18 years). Within each sub-section, key developmental considerations (i.e. physical, cognitive, emotional, and social) are provided followed by short summaries of research on basic single strategy (i.e. goal setting, imagery, relaxation, and self-talk) and alternative strategy interventions (e.g. mindfulness, music, perceptual training, and self-modelling) with young athletes. In the second section, optimal service provision of PST is discussed by drawing upon practitioners’ experiences of working with young athletes, concluding with 10 recommendations for youth sport organisations, training and accrediting bodies, researchers, and practitioners.

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Authors

Thrower, Sam
Barker, Jamie
Bruton, Adam
Coffee, Pete
Cumming, Jennifer
Harwood, Chris
Howells, Karen
Knight, Camilla
McCarthy, Paul
Mellalieu, Stephen

Oxford Brookes departments

Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work

Dates

Year of publication: 2024
Date of RADAR deposit: 2024-05-31



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This RADAR resource is the Accepted Manuscript of BPS DSEP position statement: Psychological skills training in youth sport

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