Applying Sport Psychology Philosophies, Principles, and Practices onto the Gridiron: A Commentary

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Successful coaches demonstrating consistent excellence, especially in team sports, and sharing their practical experiences, provide an exceptional opportunity for aspiring coaches and sport psychologists to better understand what it takes to reach the top and stay at the top of their careers. I recall recently reading several success stories, based on first-hand experiences, from coaches in football [1], ice hockey [2, 3], and rugby (4) to name just a few. Each country has legendary coaches who knew how to succeed consistently. For instance, in Russia such coaches were Kostantin Bescov, a soccer coach; Anatoly Tarasov, a hockey coach; and Alexander Gomel sky, a basketball coach. The interview with football head coach Pete Carroll reminds me about such exceptionally successful coaches in different sports who were not only especially famous for getting to the top and knowing how to stay there demonstrating consistent excellence but also sharing their unique experiences and professional ‘secrets’. This interview, however, is focused on coaching philosophy and practical working principles explaining success and consistent excellence, rather than on how the coach achieved consistent success. To what extent does this paper explain the success of a collegiate football coach who managed to create a successful program in such a short time? What is behind his success and how are the principles described in this interview related to sport psychology? These are the questions that might be interesting to coaches and sport psychologists.