Psychological skill development uses four models. The four models used are self-regulation model, resonance performance model, athlete-centered sport model, and mindfulness-acceptance-commitment approach. Self-regulation deals with the behaviors and thoughts created by executing and reviewing one’s performance. The model is broken into three phases: first is the forethought phase has to do with goal setting and planning choice. Second phase is the performance phase that focuses on learning, monitoring one performance’s and imagining success. Finally, is the self-reflective phase that uses self-evaluation and how one feels about the result. At each phase of the model, more successful athletes exhibit superior regulations skill (Cox, 2012).
Resonance performance model is a model that explains how an athlete becomes elite athletes (Newberg, Kimiecik, Durand-Bush, & Doell, 2002). Resonance connects preparation, emotions, and overcoming obstacles. Peak perfor
...mance is one example of resonance performance. It is a dream or goal associated with positive feelings and emotions. To reach that goal, there must be preparation done. A person must prepare and develop themselves mentally and physically. Athletes will need to overcome challenges to achieve and reach their goals. Athletes need to make sure not to get stuck in a cycle of the obstacle and preparation.
Athlete-centered sport model proposes that sport must contribute to the overall development of the athlete physically, psychologically, and socially (Miller & Kerr, 2002). Personal excellence is seen as important as performance excellence. Performance excellence is observable, measurable athletic outcomes. Personal excellence can include performance excellence along with all the factors that make an athlete better over a period. In the athlete-centered sport model, there is now a need to bring attention to an athlete’s spiritual well-being. Some researchers hav
pointed out that spirituality should be included in the athlete-centered sport model. Research from Watson & Nesti (2005) found that 1) mental skill training should include psychology and spirituality training, 2) spirituality should be acknowledge for how it can bring together an athlete’s performance/help with the flow experience, and 3) included spirituality into consultancy work.
Mindfulness-acceptance-commitment model (MAC) is an approach to psychological self-regulation that recognizes a nonjudgmental focus of one’s attention on the here and the now (Moore & Gardner). It was thought that giving athletes the tools needs to control emotions and other sensations would help with high performance from that person. This was known as psychological skill training or PST for short. The MAC model believes that the athlete accepts their feelings, whether good or bad for what the feeling is. There is no overreacting from their emotions or trying to decrease/reduce the feelings. Eventually, the athlete’s emotions/feeling can be used in a positive way once gotten under control.
