The Use of Psychological Skills and Strategies in Collegiate Strength and Conditioning

Abstract

Strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs) are in a unique position to coach psychological skills and strategies (PSS) alongside physical training to improve athlete performance (Moore et al., 2019; Radcliffe et al., 2013, 2016). The primary purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of use of PSS within collegiate strength and conditioning. A modified version of the Strength and Conditioning Sport Psychology Questionnaire (Radcliffe et al., 2013) and the Mental Skills Questionnaire (Bull et al., 1996) was completed by collegiate SCCs (N = 364). The three PSS used most frequently by college SCCs were building self-confidence, motivation, and goal setting. No significant differences (p > .01) were found between male strength and conditioning coaches (n = 290) and female strength and conditioning coaches (n = 74) in the frequency of use of PSS. SCCs who felt content knowledge was a barrier toward the use of psychological skills reported significantly lower (p < .01) use of all PSS except for self-confidence. No significant difference in PSS use (p >. 01) was found between coaches who listed lack of time as a barrier to coaching PSS with their athletes and those who did not. Advanced coaches with 10 or more years of coaching experience utilized self-talk skills more with their athletes (p < .01) than novice coaches with less than four years of coaching experience. SCCs would benefit from sport psychology professional development opportunities to improve their knowledge in coaching PSS with their athletes. Additionally, future researchers may want to analyze the differences in how and why PSS are used by SCCs across all divisions of colleges and universities.