SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

Start your journey with a full view of the plan ahead. Meet your instructor, explore the course structure, and get excited.

• Meet your instructor
• Course structure 
• Workshops, case studies, demos
• Assignments & final project overview

Understand the evolution of sport psychology: where it started, how it’s evolved, and what it really takes to work in the field. Explore trailblazing figures and today’s career paths to connect the big picture with your own goals and experiences.

• Sport psychology: History & evolution
• Influential people & contributions 
• Principles of sport psychology 
• Teaching, research, applied professionals
• Career path: Education, credentials
• Workshop: Discussion: Share your own experiences and set personalized learning goals

Learn how to perform your best when it matters the most. Explore how to switch your brain and body into “game mode” on demand. We’ll break down the science of arousal control, study how pros hit their flow state, and test breathing techniques you can actually use when the pressure’s on.

• Research studies 
• Yerkes Dodson Curve 
• Achieving flow state: Insights 
• Case Study: Tyrese Haliburton - Pacers NBA Finals 2025 
• Demo: Breathing exercises: Diaphragmatic, box, 360 

Assignment #1: Create your own Optimal Zone of Performance curve, marking the zones, adjectives, and ways you can dial up or down the level or arousal. 

Figure out how to turn big dreams into doable steps. Learn how to set the right kind of goals for athletes, both daily wins and long-term targets. Put it into practice with real-world examples.

• Goal-setting as a key motivational strategy
• SMART, shared, daily, short-term, and long-term goals 
• Process vs outcome goals 
• Team vs. individual goal-setting
• Case Study: Michael Phelps and The Mindset of Goals 
• Workshop: Discussion: Analyze the case study, share insights, and practice applying goal-setting strategies to help athletes succeed

Assignment #2: Complete the Goal Setting Worksheet using the SMART method, including process and outcome goals.

Break down what confidence is, how the brain builds or breaks it, and why even pros can lose it. Learn the difference between playing to win and playing not to lose, and pick up tools to keep your athlete’s head in the game, no matter the pressure.

• Prime confidence vs. confidence 
• Confidence vs. competence 
• Confidence components: Preparation, adversity, support team 
• When athletes lose confidence: The yips and choking 
• Playing to win vs. playing not to lose
• Workshop: Discussion: Deepen your understanding of confidence in athletes

Learn how self-talk can harm performance, as well as how athletes need to manage the outside voices coming into their minds. Spot the unhelpful chatter, reframe it into something useful, and keep the focus.

• The power of self-talk: How the brain processes words
• Negative, critical voices: Where do they come from? 
• Reframing inner voice: Present, positive, accurate
• Technical vs. motivational words
• Social media, coaches, friends, and family 
• Case Study: LeBron James 
• Workshop: Brainstormingself-talk for 5 competition scenarios 

Assignment #3: Make “flash cards” for 5 scenarios and self-talk to go with the situation. This would include scenarios and 3-4 statements to help with performance. 

Learn how professional athletes use visualization and why relaxation isn’t just “nice to have” but key for faster recovery. You’ll see how both work together, explore common roadblocks, and try them out in real time.

• Science of using visualization 
• Types of visualization 
• Visualization for injury recovery 
• Barriers & challenges 
• Demo: Progressive muscle relaxation technique: Visualization exercise

Assignment #4: Write out a short visualization script for an athlete who wants to improve a specific skill: passing, throwing accuracy, shooting a free throw, pitching, etc.

The brain is a muscle that needs training just like a bicep. Learn how focus works, why it slips, and how to pull it back fast — with tools, techniques, and a few mindfulness hacks to use anytime, anywhere.

• Types of attention: External, internal, broad, narrow
• Focus & attention training: Biofeedback tools 
• Developing a “reset” button & bouncing back from errors 
• Mental errors 
• Demo: Seated & mantra meditation, mindfulness techniques

Assignment #5: Watch the Roger Federer video and write a one page reflection paper on the sport psychology principles in his commencement speech.

Learn how to keep athletes running on a full tank, physically and mentally. From smart routines to brain breaks, body scans to hydration hacks, you’ll get practical tools to help them finish strong.

• Mental vs. physical energy 
• Routines: Night, morning, pre-competition, pre-shot, etc.
• Brain breaks
• Nutrition & hydration 
• Demo: Body scan & gratitude practice 

Assignment #6: Watch 15 minutes of a live or televised sporting event. Take notes & write reflection of the following: body language, routines, coaching, etc. 

Spot the struggles, know the signs. From anxiety to insomnia, learn how mental health challenges show up in athletes, what support looks like, and how to step in when it matters most.

• Mental health conditions & clinical sport psychology
• Anxiety, depression, OCD, ED, substance abuse, PTSD, insomnia, ADHD
• Suicide prevention & mental health first aid training
• How to make a referral for someone who is struggling
• Case Studies: Simone Biles & Kevin Love
• Workshop: Barriers that stop athletes from getting help

Help athletes get back in the game. Explore how injury impacts mindset, learn practical rehab interventions (including therapy), and hear firsthand from an MMA fighter who’s been there, fought that.

• Psychology of injury 
• Pain management 
• Interventions with injured athletes including CBT
• Creating an integrative team 
• Guest Speaker: MMA Fighter

Assignment #7 (Optional): Write a short reflection paper on what you learned from the guest speaker.

Why do athletes snap and how to stop it? We’ll break down the brain under pressure, the fine line between competitive and destructive aggression, and practical ways to keep players from turning a game into a headline.

• Impulse control 
• Functional vs. dysfunctional aggression
• Emotion regulation issues 
• The impact of pressure
• How to prevent athletes from crossing the line 
• Case Study: Draymond Green headlocks Rudy Gobert 

Assignment #8 (Optional): Identify a media story of an athlete who has been suspended or arrested. Reflect on what might have led up to these consequences. 

Get why team chemistry isn’t buzz, but the secret behind winning teams. Learn how trust, communication, and managing tough personalities shape the game on and off the court.

• Building relationships, cohesion, trust, respect
• Team building exercises & shared goals 
• Communication issues & managing conflict 
• Leadership failures
• Case Study: Steve Kerr & Golden State Warriors
• Workshop: Discussion: Managing a high-conflict, high-impact player while preserving team trust, cohesion, and performance

Design and apply sport psychology programs tailored for both individual athletes and teams. You’ll learn how to navigate roles, handle sensitive data ethically, and tackle real-world challenges with insights from a pro who’s been there.

• Assessments in sport psychology
• The role of coaches, trainers, support staff
• Team vs. individual training 
• What is confidential? Ethical considerations
• Guest Speaker: Former Head Athletic Trainer: AHL 
• Workshop: Discussion: Introducing a sport psychology program within a team 

Assignment #9 (Optional): Reflect on what you learned from this class and the guest speaker.

Wrap up your journey by reflecting on what stuck and how you’ll use these skills in the real world. Tackle any roadblocks ahead, build your support network, and plan your next steps for ongoing growth.

• Key takeaways 
• Problem-solving
• Creating a support team for career goals 
• Future training & education 
• Workshop: Reflection & discussion 

Assignment #10 (Optional):  Write a reflection paper on any of the videos or articles in the library. 

Final Project: Individual Athlete or Team Mental Performance Improvement Strategy.