How to Teach Sports Psychology

What makes a great athlete great is a subject of interest and intrigue. Sports is more than a physical activity, it is also a mind game. Sports psychology considers the psychological factors involved in participating in and excelling in sports.



Sports psychology is usually taught at the college undergraduate or graduate level. High school psychology teachers usually do not teach specialized courses such as sports psychology, but teach general courses on psychology, when a psychology course or courses are made available in high school.



To teach sports psychology at a college or university, where such courses are usually available, you would need to have a master's degree or doctorate in psychology.

Instructions

    • 1

      Study your subject. The first step in being able to teach anything successfully is knowing your subject. You should have a strong foundation in psychology as well as a good knowledge of the sports psychology specialty.

      In the Internet age, courses leading to undergraduate, graduate and doctorate degrees in psychology, are easily available without needing to physically attend a university. Online sports psychology courses are offered by some colleges and universities online.

    • 2

      Obtain the certification needed for teaching psychology in your state at the college or university level.

    • 3

      Join the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP). Membership is available for those who are involved in teaching psychology at all levels, and they provide a magazine subscription and newsletter with helpful information that comes with membership. The STP magazine is full of ideas in learning techniques and methods to fine-tune your teaching.

      You might also consider joining the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), which offers membership for professionals as well as for students. It is the largest organization in the world for sport psychology professionals and students and is interdisciplinary, drawing from the fields of exercise and sports, as well as the practice of psychology. Membership can help you to keep abreast of scientific developments in the field, and help to keep your teaching fresh and interesting.

    • 4

      Read up on sports psychology from many different angles. Sports psychology is not just knowing how to become the best athlete, there are many angles from which you can pursue the subject. By reading a wide variety of ideas on the subject, you will be able to help students to think critically and develop their powers of reasoning, present a balanced and realistic view of sports, rather than a glossed-up version.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved