Motivation

Section: Understanding Motivation in Sport

  • Recognise motivation as a crucial psychological factor influencing sport participation and performance.
  • Understand that it involves an internal or external drive towards achieving a particular goal.
  • Distinguishing between intrinsic motivation, where athletes participate in sport for personal satisfaction, and extrinsic motivation, where they participate for external rewards.

Section: Benefits of Motivation in Sport

  • Understand that motivated athletes are more likely to show continued commitment and effort in training, leading to improved performance.
  • Note that motivation can help athletes cope with the pressure and challenges, enhancing their stress resilience.
  • Appreciate the influence of motivation on the ability to set and achieve sport goals.

Section: Types of Motivation in Sport

  • Grasp the concept of achievement motivation, where athletes are driven by the desire to improve their performance, master a task, or defeat opponents.
  • Understand social motivation as the drive to participate in sports due to social factors, like a sense of belonging or acceptance.
  • Learn about physical motivation, where individuals engage in sport for physical improvements like health benefits or body shape.

Section: Techniques to Increase Motivation

  • Understand the importance of setting SMART goals to enhance motivation.
  • Acknowledge that positive reinforcement, feedback and rewards can boost athletes’ motivation.
  • Appreciate the role of supportive social environments in fostering intrinsic motivation.

Section: Role of Coaches in Fostering Motivation

  • Understand that coaches can enhance athletes’ motivation by creating stimulating and enjoyable training sessions.
  • Appreciate the importance of coaches’ verbal and non-verbal communication in boosting athletes’ self-confidence and motivation.
  • Realise the role of coaches in setting realisticexpectations and providing balanced feedback.

Section: Risks of Excessive or Misplaced Motivation

  • Be aware of the risks of excessive or misplaced motivation, such as burnout, overtraining syndrome and injury.
  • Understand that overemphasis on winning and external rewards may undermine intrinsic motivation and enjoyment.
  • Realise how pressure to meet excessively high standards can lead to anxiety, reducing performance levels.