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"Training Isn't the Same as Training": Why a Coach Should Study Sports Psychology

Original in Russian: blog.skillbox.by
"Training Isn't the Same as Training": Why a Coach Should Study Sports Psychology

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Learn with sports psychologist Victoria Borzenkova. She shares her knowledge and experience in sports psychology, helping athletes cope with the emotional and psychological challenges that can arise during training and competition. Victoria's professional approach helps improve mental resilience, enhance concentration, and achieve better athletic performance. Learn how to properly work on your psychological state and achieve your goals in sports.

Victoria Borzenkova is an international master of sports in figure skating and a research fellow at the sports psychology laboratory of the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis under the direction of K. A. Bochaver. She provides support to athletes of various disciplines, including tennis and eSports. Victoria runs a blog dedicated to sports psychology and teaches a course called "The Psychology of Sports Victory," where she shares her knowledge and experience. Her work focuses on developing psychological skills that help athletes achieve high results and cope with the emotional stress of competition.

Who is a sports psychologist and what do they do?

A specialist working with athletes plays a key role in competition preparation, helping them consciously transfer the results of their training to competition conditions. This is especially relevant for sports that require high coordination and complex elements, such as figure skating and rhythmic gymnastics. Professional support allows athletes to confidently demonstrate their skills and achievements, which ultimately contributes to successful performance in competitions.

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Sports psychologist: interview with Victoria Borzenkova

Victoria Borzenkova, sports psychologist, shares her experience and approaches to working with athletes. She explains how sport psychology helps improve athletes' performance, cope with pressure, and develop mental resilience. A sport psychologist helps athletes overcome psychological barriers, set goals, and find motivation to achieve high results. Victoria emphasizes the importance of mental preparation, which is often just as important as physical preparation. She discusses techniques such as visualization, relaxation, and positive thinking, which help boost athletes' confidence. During the interview, Victoria also shares examples of her successful work with various athletes, emphasizing that an individual approach to each client is key to her practice. Sport psychologists like Victoria play a vital role in preparing athletes, helping them not only cope with internal conflicts but also achieve new heights in their careers.

Thus, the role of sports psychologists is becoming increasingly important in the world of sports, and the work of specialists like Victoria Borzenkova contributes to the development of not only individual athletes, but also the entire sports community.

Consciously reproduce the result? What does it mean?

During the first training sessions with athletes, I often ask the question: "What did you do well in this element?" The answer is: "I don't know." When trying to figure out what the athlete was thinking about while performing it, it becomes clear that the body performed the movement automatically, while the mind was occupied with extraneous thoughts. As a result of such a disconnect between body and mind, the athlete will most likely not be able to repeat the element with the same precision and quality.

Consciously reproduce the result is the athlete's ability to be aware of their actions and techniques, which allows them to effectively repeat elements during competitions. This understanding of processes and actions not only improves athletic performance but also promotes self-confidence. Athletes with this awareness are better able to control their movements, adapt to competitive conditions, and achieve high results.

Okay. What else is sports psychology useful for?

It teaches the right approaches to motivating athletes. Coaches often believe that shouting and pressuring will achieve quick results. While this may work in the short term, this method is based on fear and does not contribute to sustainable development, as it does not take into account the psychological characteristics of the athlete. Sports psychology offers effective strategies that allow you to find an individual approach to each athlete and understand what truly inspires them to achieve victories. Learning the basics of sports psychology also helps reduce stress and anxiety before competitions, which ultimately leads to improved results and increased self-confidence.

But why should a coach study sports psychology if specialists exist?

Sports psychologists are not present in all sports clubs and sections. For example, in amateur or children's sports groups, the presence of a psychologist is extremely unlikely. This can limit athletes' opportunities to develop the mental skills necessary to achieve high results. Psychological support plays an important role in training, helping athletes cope with stress, increase concentration, and develop resilience to failure. Without professional help, athletes may face difficulties in managing emotions and overcoming psychological barriers, which can negatively impact their athletic careers.

Many coaches are wary of the idea of ​​involving specialists such as sports psychologists in the training of their athletes. They fear that the arrival of a psychologist could disrupt the existing system and undermine their authority. However, this is a misconception. A psychologist is not a competitor; rather, they act as a supporter who can significantly improve a team's performance. It's important for coaches to recognize that sports psychology is a valuable tool that can help both athlete and coach achieve their goals. If you, as a coach, aren't ready to hire an outside specialist, consider learning the basics of psychology yourself. This will help you interact more effectively with your athletes and, as a result, enhance their athletic performance.

How is sports psychology different from regular psychology?

The mother of a girl who competes in gymnastics contacted me. She was looking for a sports psychologist, realizing that working with a regular psychologist could lead to the end of her career. In contrast, a sports psychologist helps you continue to develop and overcome the challenges associated with competition and training. It's important to support athletes' psychological health so they can achieve their goals and cope with emotional challenges.

Psychological support plays a vital role in a person's life, and in this context, a sports psychologist excels in their unique role. While a regular psychologist helps people find inner peace, a sports psychologist focuses on expanding athletes' psychological repertoire. Sport isn't always about peace; it requires constant self-improvement, patience, and a willingness to endure pain to achieve new heights. A sports psychologist helps athletes cope with emotional and psychological challenges, which not only improves athletic performance but also develops personal qualities such as resilience and self-discipline.

Sports medicine plays a key role in supporting athletes' health, especially in challenging situations. In my case, I was diagnosed with a heart block at age 16. A regular doctor would likely have advised me to stop playing sports. However, a sports psychologist helped me discover my inner resources and opportunities to continue my career despite this condition. This shows how important it is to turn to specialists who understand the needs of athletes and can offer individual solutions for maintaining an active lifestyle.

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Dmitry Azarov is an experienced taekwondo coach who began his career in this sport at the age of 16. He actively researches the psychology of victory, striving to improve his training method and approach to teaching. Knowledge of psychology helps him develop not only the physical skills of his students, but also their mental resilience, which is a key factor in achieving success in taekwondo.

Listen, but sports psychology only appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. How did people compete without it before?

Before the emergence of professional and semi-professional sports, the discipline in which people compete was practically unknown. The first Olympics, held in 1896, became the starting point for the development of sports as an independent field. With the emergence of sport, the science of sports, including psychology, also emerged. Throughout its history, sport has served as an exploration of a person's inner capabilities, their potential. Every year, the risks and stresses faced by athletes increase. They work at the limit of their abilities, being in a state of semi-recovery both physically and psychologically. Sports psychology is becoming increasingly important for achieving high results, as it helps athletes cope with emotional and mental stress.

Okay, so coaches need to study psychology. But only those who work with professional athletes, right?

If you work with children, knowledge of psychology is a necessary skill. Harsh coaching methods can cause a child to become averse to sports. Children continue to participate in clubs or sections only as long as the process remains interesting for them. Understanding the emotional and psychological aspects of interaction with children will help create a positive atmosphere and motivate them to play sports.

The art of supporting a child throughout all stages of their development requires a special approach. A 6-year-old child and a 16-year-old teenager are completely different individuals with unique needs and interests. It's important to understand how a child's psychology and behavior change with age in order to provide them with the necessary support and guidance at every stage of their development. Effective interaction with children requires attention to their changes and the ability to adapt to new conditions.

It's important to realize that training is not the same as coaching. Each person striving to play sports requires an individual approach. The right coach must consider the characteristics and needs of each athlete to ensure the effective and safe development of physical skills.

But a coach should also cultivate a competitive spirit so that their student can go out and destroy everyone! It seems like psychology isn't needed here.

There is a concept called "competitive anger," but it's important not to confuse it with aggression or hatred, which can lead to unsportsmanlike behavior. The sports anger discussed in psychology implies a constructive approach: instead of blaming an opponent for their failure, the athlete asks themselves, "What can I do to perform better next time?" This approach promotes development and improved performance, and fosters healthy competitiveness.

Is there a difference between sports psychology for gymnasts and for boxers?

The fundamentals of motivation, goal-setting, and stress management are key tools for working with athletes. Knowledge of the specifics of the client's sport is certainly helpful. However, psychology focuses on an individual approach to each person, regardless of their professional activity. Effective interaction between a psychologist and an athlete fosters a deeper understanding of needs and goals, which in turn helps achieve high results.

It seems that knowledge of sports psychology is a new level for a coach. Will this affect their salary?

Knowledge of psychology does not necessarily lead to an immediate salary increase or an invitation to an elite club. However, it is important to understand that psychology can be a powerful tool for achieving career goals. Understanding human behavior and motivation allows you to effectively interact with colleagues and management, which can positively impact your professional reputation and career opportunities. Using psychological methods in communication and management will help you create a positive image, which, in turn, can open doors to new opportunities.

Sports psychology is an important tool for coaches, promoting professional growth and maintaining psycho-emotional balance. It helps cope with burnout, negative mood, and stress, which is especially relevant in a professional environment. Coaches often end their careers prematurely due to poor resource management and emotional exhaustion. Sports psychology helps maintain the quality of work and personal health, making coaches more effective and productive. Understanding the psychological aspects of coaching not only contributes to professional development but also improves the overall health of the coach.

Okay, but will this knowledge be of any use to the athletes themselves? Or is self-medication still not an option?

Understanding one's own emotions and states helps reduce anxiety. Over time, with regular application of this knowledge, mindfulness develops. Athletes can learn to manage their emotions by entering the right emotional states and avoiding those that hinder their performance. Therefore, understanding the basics of sports psychology is an essential tool for every athlete. This knowledge helps not only in achieving athletic success, but also in improving the overall psycho-emotional state.

Reading is an important aspect of personal development and education. It is not only a way of obtaining information, but also an opportunity to broaden horizons, improve vocabulary and develop critical thinking. In today's world, where access to information has become easier, reading books, articles, and other materials is becoming especially important.

Regular reading helps not only in your personal life but also in your professional work. It helps you increase your knowledge in your field and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and news. Furthermore, reading develops imagination and creative thinking, which is essential for solving problems and developing new ideas.

Tips for improving reading skills include choosing a variety of genres, setting regular reading times, and discussing what you read with others. This not only deepens comprehension but also makes the process more engaging.

Reading plays a key role in shaping a successful and educated individual. It opens new horizons and helps find answers to questions that concern modern society.

An athlete's body can be compared to a musician's instrument. It requires regular tuning and training to achieve maximum effectiveness. Just as in music, where every sound matters, so in sports, every muscle group affects the overall result. The right approach to training and recovery can improve your fitness and achieve high athletic performance. Learn to listen to your body and adapt your training to its needs to achieve harmony and balance in your athletic performance.

Psychology is a complex science. Is it even possible to master it in an online course?

A coach is a specialist with knowledge of pedagogy, biomechanics, and anatomy. You can master the psychology necessary for effective training in our course. Many coaches who study with us begin to apply their acquired knowledge in practice even before completing the course and achieve significant results. Join us and develop your skills for success in coaching.

Who is a sports psychologist and what do they do?

A specialist who helps athletes effectively reproduce and transfer training results to competition plays a key role in achieving success. This is especially true in sports that require high coordination, such as figure skating and rhythmic gymnastics. Its purpose is to help the athlete become aware of their skills and confidently apply them in a competitive environment, which significantly increases the chances of successful performance.

Consciously reproduce the result? What does this mean?

During my first sessions with athletes, I often ask: "What did you do well? What did you do well?" The answer I hear is: "I don't know." Upon further discussion, it turns out that the body performed the element automatically, while the athlete's thoughts were occupied with something else. This means that he will most likely not be able to repeat this element with the same effectiveness.

Conscious reproduction of the result is a key aspect of an athlete's successful performance. It implies the athlete's understanding of their actions and techniques, which allows them to confidently reproduce the elements during competitions. This awareness not only increases the level of skill, but also contributes to improved athletic performance. An athlete, possessing this skill, is able to perform their exercises more accurately and effectively, which is an important factor in achieving high results.

Good. How else is sports psychology useful?

It teaches effective motivation methods. Many coaches mistakenly believe that shouting and pushing will make athletes run faster. While such methods may produce short-term results, they are based on fear and do not promote long-term results. An athlete's psyche is not designed to withstand stressful challenges. Sports psychology offers approaches that help find the key to each athlete's individuality and understand what truly inspires them to achieve. Furthermore, a basic understanding of sports psychology can significantly reduce athletes' stress and anxiety before competitions, which positively impacts their performance.

But why should a coach study sports psychology if specialists exist?

Sports psychologists are not present in all sports clubs and sections. In most cases, if you are training in an amateur or children's sports group, having a psychologist on the team is unlikely. This can limit athletes' opportunities for psychological preparation and support. It's important to understand that working with a psychologist can significantly improve performance and help overcome psychological barriers. Therefore, if you're serious about sports, it's worth considering working with a professional in this field, even if your team doesn't have one. Many coaches are wary of bringing in additional specialists, such as sports psychologists, believing it could undermine their authority and disrupt their existing training system. However, it's important to understand that a psychologist isn't a competitor, but a valuable tool in achieving athletic goals. Sports psychology provides coaches and athletes with additional tools to enhance training effectiveness and improve results. If you, as a coach, are unwilling to bring in an external specialist, it's recommended that you independently study the basics of sports psychology. This will help you better understand the needs of your athletes and significantly simplify the training process, which will ultimately lead to high achievements and success in sports.

How is sports psychology different from regular psychology?

The mother of a girl who does gymnastics contacted me. She was looking for a sports psychologist, as she realized that a regular psychologist can only help temporarily, while a sports psychologist focuses on development and overcoming difficulties in an athlete's career. The task of a professional in this field is to support and guide athletes, helping them reach new heights and continue their path in sports.

A traditional psychologist promotes inner harmony, while a sports psychologist focuses on expanding an athlete's psychological capabilities. Sport is not only about striving for harmony but also about constantly overcoming one's own limitations. It requires patience and a willingness to endure pain to achieve new heights. A sports psychologist helps develop mental resilience, which is a key aspect of successful performance in competitions.

In sports medicine, the situation is similar. At 16, I was diagnosed with a heart block, and a regular doctor would probably have recommended stopping sports. However, a sports medicine doctor was able to identify resources and opportunities that allowed me to continue my career despite this disease.

Listen, but sports psychology only appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. How did we ever compete without it before?

Sport as a discipline in which people participate in competitions began to take shape with the first Olympics in 1896. With the advent of professional and semi-professional sports, the science of sports, including its psychological aspects, also emerged. Sport has become a study of a person's inner potential and capabilities. Every year, the risks and stress for athletes increase, and they work at the limit of their capabilities, being in a semi-recovery mode, both physical and psychological. This process requires a deep understanding of the psychology of sports, which allows for the optimization of the training process and the achievement of high results.

Okay, let's say coaches need to study psychology. But only those who work with professional athletes, right?

Working with children requires a deep understanding of psychology. Harsh methods of a coach can lead to a child starting to feel an aversion to sports. It's important to remember that children participate in clubs and sections only as long as they find it interesting and engaging. Understanding children's needs and emotions helps create a positive atmosphere conducive to their development and love of sport. Accompanying a child at every stage of their development is especially important. A child at 6 and at 16 are completely different individuals with unique needs and interests. Understanding these changes allows parents and caregivers to effectively support their child's development, adapting approaches and communication methods to their age-related characteristics. It's important to remember that each stage of development requires attention to emotional, social, and intellectual development, which ultimately contributes to the formation of a well-rounded personality. It's important to realize that training is not the same as coaching. Each person who strives to play sports requires an individual approach. Understanding unique needs and goals helps create an effective training program that will promote both physical and psychological development. The selection of methods should take into account not only the level of training but also personal preferences, which will increase motivation and the effectiveness of training.

But a coach should develop competitive anger so that his protégé can go out and destroy everyone! It seems that no psychology is needed here.

Competitive anger is an important concept in sports psychology that should not be confused with aggression or hatred. Competitive anger can be a source of motivation and improved performance. It implies a desire for self-improvement and a positive perception of competition. Instead of blaming the opponent for a defeat, athletes with the right competitive anger ask themselves: "What can I do to improve my results next time?" This approach promotes the development of personal skills and increased competitiveness, which is a key aspect of a successful athletic career.

Is there a difference between sports psychology for gymnasts and for boxers?

The fundamentals of motivation, goal-setting, and stress management are key tools for working with any athlete. While knowledge of the specifics of a particular sport is certainly useful, psychology requires an emphasis on an individual approach to each person, regardless of their professional activity. Effective work by a psychologist requires a deep understanding of the athlete's personal needs and goals, which allows for the creation of optimal conditions for achieving high results. Given the unique aspects of each athlete, psychological support becomes an important factor during preparation and competition.

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It seems that knowledge of sports psychology is a new level for a coach. Will this affect his salary?

Knowledge of psychology does not automatically guarantee a salary increase or an invitation to an elite club. It is important to understand that psychological skills can significantly impact your career and professional relationships. By mastering psychology, you gain the ability to better understand the motivations of others, which can help in negotiations, conflict management, and building effective teams. This knowledge contributes to the development of leadership skills and increases your value in the labor market. Therefore, although psychology is not a direct path to material success, it opens new horizons for professional growth and personal development.

Sports psychology is an important tool for coaches, contributing to their professional development. It helps not only in the fight against burnout, bad mood, and stress, but also in improving overall work effectiveness. Unfortunately, many coaches end their careers prematurely due to mismanagement of their resources and emotional exhaustion. Sports psychology helps maintain psychological health and maintain high performance. Coaches who understand the importance of these processes become more productive and successful in their work.

Okay, but will this knowledge be of any use to the athletes themselves? Or is self-medication still not an option?

Understanding one's own emotions and states helps reduce anxiety. Regular application of this knowledge develops mindfulness, which allows athletes to better manage their states. They learn to enter the necessary emotional states and avoid factors that can interfere with their performance. Thus, in-depth knowledge in the field of sports psychology becomes important for athletes, helping them achieve better results and improve their efficiency.

Psychology of Sports Victories

You will learn how to properly motivate athletes, help them achieve their goals and deal with stress. You will be able to better understand their psychological state and prevent burnout.

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