Sports Psychology Flashcards
7 cards from real ITF practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Sports Psychology flashcards as text
Which of the following describes a 'pre-performance routine' and its PRIMARY psychological function in tennis?
Answer: A consistent sequence of behaviors that channels arousal and focuses attention before each point
Pre-performance routines help players manage arousal, block distractions, and direct attention to task-relevant cues before executing a serve or return.
According to Csikszentmihalyi's Flow Theory, a tennis player is MOST likely to enter flow when:
Answer: The challenge of the match closely matches the player's skill level
Flow emerges when perceived challenge and skill are in balance, creating deep engagement, effortless focus, and intrinsic enjoyment.
A coach is working with a player who catastrophizes unforced errors ('I always choke'). The BEST cognitive intervention is:
Answer: Cognitive restructuring to replace irrational thoughts with realistic appraisals
Cognitive restructuring teaches players to challenge distorted, catastrophic thinking and replace it with balanced, evidence-based self-statements.
Which of the following is an example of 'somatic anxiety' in a tennis player before a match?
Answer: Butterflies in the stomach, increased heart rate, and muscle tension
Somatic anxiety refers to the physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., muscle tension, elevated heart rate), distinct from cognitive anxiety (worry).
A team coach notices that players perform worse in training when a star teammate is watching. This group dynamic is BEST called:
Answer: Evaluation apprehension causing social inhibition
Evaluation apprehension occurs when players fear being judged by others, heightening arousal and disrupting non-mastered skills.
Which psychological skill DIRECTLY helps a player 'stay in the present' and avoid ruminating on previous errors during a match?
Answer: Mindfulness — non-judgmental awareness of the current moment
Mindfulness trains athletes to notice thoughts without attachment, preventing rumination on past errors and worry about future outcomes.
Goal-setting theory in sport (Locke & Latham) suggests that performance goals should be:
Answer: Specific and moderately challenging to maximize motivation and performance
SMART goals that are specific and moderately difficult direct attention, increase persistence, and generate the highest performance improvements.