Master of Education in Human Movement, Sport, and Leisure Studies Graduate Projects

Abstract

During competition, athletes are expected to perform well and have confidence in their abilities. Sport confidence represents an athlete’s belief in their abilities to perform successfully in sport (Vealey & Chase, 2008). Consistently, research reveals a positive relationship between sport confidence and performance (Vealey & Chase, 2008). Benefits of confidence in college athletes include low anxiety, a focus on goals, experiencing flow, and successful performance (Machida et al., 2012; Rintaugu et al., 2018). The sport confidence model (Vealey & Chase, 2008), that describes sources of athlete confidence, provides the framework for Confidently Successful! This program is developed so that a college athlete can work through it to build and maintain their sport confidence to perform successfully in their sport. The exercises in this program correspond with the mastery, mental and physical preparation, and vicarious experience sources of sport confidence (Vealey & Chase, 2008). Confidently Successful! is a ten-week program that introduces psychological skills, has interactive activities, and opportunities for athletes to reflect on their confidence each week. Using a periodization approach (Vealey, 2019), the content and exercises build upon each other to guide athletes to climb the ladder for success. Athletes will become aware of their sport confidence, set effective goals, learn confidence building skills, implement positive self-talk, imagine success, learn to utilize mindfulness, create routines, and plan to continue to be confident in any situation. All of the exercises can be practiced and integrated into athletes’ training and help them improve confidence and perform at their peak ability. Upon completion of Confidently Successful, athletes should be able to cultivate their sport confidence and perform successfully in their sport.

Advisor

Dr. Vikki Krane - Professor/BGSU

Second Reader

Dr. Amanda Koba - Professor/BGSU

Semester

Spring 2022

Year

2022

Degree

M.Ed.

Program

Kinesiology

COinS