Required skills

communication skills to

build rapport with athletes and support personnel

access analyse and convey information about sport psychology principles and approaches for peak performance to athletes using appropriate communication techniques

negotiate appropriate strategies to achieve peak performance with athletes and seek feedback on the effectiveness of strategies

language and literacy skills to access and interpret information on sport psychology principles and approaches for peak performance relevant to the appropriate sport

problem solving skills to

assess effectiveness of psychological approaches to enhance performance and to modify accordingly

recognise psychological barriers to enhanced performance and refer the athlete to support personnel

Required knowledge

psychological approaches and techniques such as mental rehearsal goal setting and self control strategies to assist athletes to prepare psychologically for competition and to enhance performance in a sporting event

organisational policies and procedures to enable athletes to implement psychological approaches to enhance performance in a professional and supported manner

motivational techniques to assist athletes to prepare psychologically for a sporting event

psychological barriers to enable these to be recognised and addressed

credible information sources regarding psychological approaches for peak performance to enable accuracy and currency of knowledge to be conveyed to athletes

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential

acquires selects and adapts information in relation to sports psychology principles and approaches for optimal performance to develop and maintain professional knowledge for own sporting area

works with support personnel to identify sportspecific psychological approaches for peak performance and selects and adopts communication strategies appropriate to the information needs of athletes

consults with athletes and support personnel to develop implement and review psychological approaches to support them in a coaching setting

monitors psychological approaches of athletes and refers psychological barriers to appropriate support personnel

develops a rapport with athletes and encourages them to clarify information and access supporting resources

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple interactions with athletes and support personnel that involve the provision and discussion of information and the implementation monitoring and review of psychological approaches to enable optimal performance to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

a sportspecific training or competition setting

athletes and sports psychology support personnel

sources of information about sports psychology principles and approaches for peak performance

current organisational policies and procedures that impact on the implementation of psychological approaches for peak performance

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of interaction with athletes and sport psychology support personnel including discussions and implementation of psychological approaches for peak performance

observation of consultation with athletes to review strategies to support them to apply psychological approaches to achieve peak performance

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the principles of sports psychology

third party reports from coaches or other support staff detailing examples of interactions and discussions with athletes and support personnel such as the implementation of strategies to support athletes with sports psychology

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended

relevant sport specific coaching units of competency

Principles of sports psychology for peak sporting performance may include:

Support personnel may include:

Resources may include:

Psychological approaches to enhance peak performancemay include:

Approaches may include:

Psychological characteristics may include: