Sport Psychology: A Primer for Educators

Abstract

systems in North America. Sports in schools can be justified on educational grounds with respect to educational philosophy and educational outcomes. Most educational leaders believe students who participate in school sports benefit developmentally in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. Developmental benefits include: developing individual and team goals, meeting deadlines, working as a team, learning to perform under pressure, dealing with adversity, handling success and failure, developing self-confidence, developing decision making strategies, learning communication skills, valuing physical fitness, and numerous others. These positive benefits for student-athletes, however, require proper leadership. In the absence of strong educational leadership from administrators, teachers, and coaches, student-athletes may encounter experiences that limit their development. For instance they may experience increased stress and anxiety, ridicule, and develop a negative attitude about the importance of fitness and exercise in their lives. The emerging field of sport psychology has much to offer schools, particularly in providing the necessary expertise to enhance the possibility that sport and exercise will be a positive experience in the lives of school children.