SR4S073 - Psychology for the Sports Coach/Practitioner 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SR4S073
Module Title: Psychology for the Sports Coach/Practitioner
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Sport
Faculty Sub Group: Football Coaching
Module Leader: Lee Tuckwell
Module Team: Chris Marley, Melanie Tuckwell
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

This module aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of how psychology may impact on the ability of key stakeholders in sport (e.g., athletes, coaches, sport and exercise science practitioners) to perform, thrive, and experience mental well-being in sport. Specifically, key individual difference variables that affect the performance and mental well-being of key stakeholders in sport will be considered, with links between theory and practice explored.  In addition, students will be able to critically appraise the psychological factors affecting team performance.

Content Summary

The module content will prepare students to be more considerate of, and to better manage, a range of psychological factors that may impact on the performance of themselves and various other key stakeholders in sport, health, and exercise and will include: 

  • The importance of psychology in key sport stakeholders obtaining optimal performance and mental well-being across various sport contexts. 

  • The provision of ethical and competent sport and exercise psychology support to athletes, coaches, and support staff. 

  • Stress, performance, and mental ill/well-being, considering the demanding nature of sport, how stress may be experienced by key sport stakeholders, coping, and the potential impact of stress on performance and mental ill/well-being.

  • Current perspectives on motivation in sport, including self determination and achievement goals. 

  • Developing mental toughness and its impact on the performance of key sport stakeholders. 

  • The importance of coach/practitioner-athlete relationships across various sport contexts. 

  • Differentiating between basic (goal setting, self-talk, relaxation and imagery) and advanced (self confidence, concentration, and control) psychological skills, the theory underpinning their use in sport and contemporary issues in the delivery of these skills, including, measurement, periodisation, and adherence. 

  • Team dynamics and cohesion, including a focus on role perceptions, and collective efficacy.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 18
Seminar 12
Directed Study 20
Independent Study 150
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of how key stakeholders in sport may obtaining optimal performance and experience mental well-being across various sport settings.
LO2 Identify and critically appraise how sports coaches/practitioners may better manage their own psychological states, and engage in the provision of ethical, psychological support to key stakeholders in sport (e.g., athletes, support staff).
LO3 Recognise and critically appraise the theoretical underpinnings of, and empirical research associated with, the relationship between individual difference variables and sports performance, mental ill/well-being, and health.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1 Option 1: Self-reflection on your experience of stress, coping, and its implications for performance and mental ill/well-being as a sports coach/practitioner Option 2: Discussion of how you as a sports coach/practitioner may support an athlete with a psychological issue associated with performance 25 N/A 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1 ✔ ✔ ✔

Reading List

Keegan, R.(2015).Being a Sport Psychologist. Palgrave Macmillan. 

  • Cropley, B., Baldock, L., Neil, R., Mellalieu, S., Wagstaff, C., & Wadey, R. (2016). Coping with the demands of professional practice: Sport psychology consultants’ perspectives. The Sport Psychologist, 30, 290-302.  

  • Baldock, L., Cropley, B., Neil, R., & Mellalieu, S. D. (2021). The stress and mental well-being of professional football coaches. The Sport Psychologist, 35, 108–122. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2020-0087 

  • Baldock, L., Hanton, S., Mellalieu, S.D., & Williams, J.M. (2020). Understanding and managing stress in sport. In J. Williams & V. Krane (Eds.), Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance (8th ed., pp. 210-243). McGraw Hill. 

  • Cropley, B., Hanton, S., & Baldock, L. (2021). Coaching is a 24 hour-a-day job: A myth. In A. Whitehead & J. Coady (Eds.), Myths of sports coaching. Sequoia Books Ltd.