Behavioral Training by a Sport Psychologist

Dr. Purushothaman
October 7, 2013

Behavioral training is provided individually and not in team. A sport psychologist would first understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual players and then trains them according to their strengths.

A sport psychologist is a behavioral trainer, who helps players maintain calm, remain neutral and focus on game rather than result. It is learnt that players withstand tremendous mental and physical pressure from both their teammates and opponents. Shouting and hooting from the audiences further aggravates the problem. The pressure changes the behavior of the players that is evident in skirmishes between the contesting teams.

Players get physical training that improves their skills but for best performance, they need more than just physical training. They need training so that they can withstand the pressure, perform without caring about the result and without stretching their body and mind. Stress should be replaced with passion and this is possible with training.

A player is a human being and like other people he has some strengths and weaknesses. He is trained for the game but not for performance. Physical training is required for developing skills but the power to use the skills comes from mind. One who can remember the sills and one who is able to use his skills, can become a good player. Enthusiasts want to see their favorite players in action but little do they know that their demands create unnecessary pressure on the players.

Only a sport psychologist can understand the pressure, players feel hence he is right person to help players overcome the pressure. Players need behavioral training more than they need physical coaching. First they should be prepared from mind. They should be ready to face the challenge, perform even when defeat is imminent and try turning the game.

Behavioral training is provided individually and not in team. A sport psychologist would first understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual players and then trains them according to their strengths. The focus in behavioral training is on improving the strengths of a player. The training helps players withstand the pressure. Seasoned players might need few tips but new members might need intense training. Player's knowledge about the game also helps in behavioral training.

Today there is hardly any team without a sport psychologist. Even players that give individual performance seek behavioral training from experienced trainers. For behavioral training, one needs a professional trainer as just reading books on training or viewing training videos won't help. For intense training, one has to go to trainer and take lessons. Advent of behavioral training has certainly changed the way players used to look at games.

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