This particular branch of sports refers to the factors especially the mental-oriented factors that affect the effectiveness as far as the performance of a sportsman or sportswoman is concerned. It entails the effort to seek to comprehend the mental as well as psychological issues responsible for interfering with the performance in sports activities (Shane, 2005). Some of these factors range from personal confidence to the support offered by the cheering squad. Therefore, sport psychology is concerned with the study of the skill and tactics that will enable sportspeople to increase their performance. Some of these skills include concentration during the game, enough training, self-confidence, relaxation during the game, goal setting, and most importantly teamwork (Shane, 2005). Other major skills that have to be observed for a sportsman to improve performance include emotional management and also ensuring that any injuries are minimized as much as possible.
The video clip is a representation of a basketball game. Usually, this is a sport that entails teamwork. This is because the effort of each member of the team dictates the performance of that particular team. Each of the teams contains five players. The video is in a sports activity setting. The actual action can be seen. Several issues can be picked by observing the video clip which includes:
Group cohesion: This entails how the members of the team share the tasks in which they are involved (Shane, 2005). It can also show the aspect of social bonds that the players share amongst themselves. Considering the video clip, I would say that the team members have very good and excellent group cohesion among themselves. This is shown by the way they relate to each other during the game. Moreover, after one of them scored the rest of the team members run to him to celebrate together.
Imagery: This refers to the visual images that are formed in the mind of the observer (Shane, 2005). For instance, the ladies that are watching the game as the clip begins are already standing as well as the entire crowd simply because by following the game keenly, they can anticipate a score. This is because of the images they have already formed in their mind as they follow the event.
Attention and focus: This refers to the ability of the player to be able to put their full focus on the activity they are being involved in. In the clip, one of the team members in black sport wear is still very focused and able to score despite the shouts, the distance, and the disruptions from his opponent. He is doing it from a very far distance. In addition to that, he is also not bothered by the issue of time. All that matters is for him to aim and then score.
Motivation: Motivation refers to any effort that is put forth that is focused on the players to encourage them to perform well (Shane, 2005). This may come from the coach, the other team members as well as the cheering crowd. Concerning the video, the players have been given great motivation as they go about their activity. From the cheering crowd, people can be seen clapping and encouraging their favorite team especially when the ball is on their court. Moreover, the team members are seen lifting and carrying one of their members who has just made them proud by scoring.
Internal monologue: This is another very important aspect as far as sport is concerned. In any game, this is very hard to identify because it involves the internal positive thoughts of the player during the game. The players, as a form of keeping focus and concentration, must keep a personal conversation in their minds. This is whereby they can calculate the distance from where they should score or even pass the ball to the team members accurately. In the clip, the members of the team that is in black have better internal monologue as compared to the team members in yellow. This is because, unlike the team in yellow, the team in black has not had its members miss the ball or score. In an actual sense, the team in black has a very great focus.
Critics: This is another very important aspect or factor that can boost and improve the performance of a particular team. However, the critics are to be very positive to enable the team members to correct their mistakes. Usually, these should come from team members and the coach. The coach is entitled to correct his team where they go wrong. Also, the team members, since they are the ones involved in the actual game, should be responsible for correcting any team member that makes a mistake in the process of playing. A good example is a manner in which the team in yellow is seen to consult each other after the team in black scores.
Reference
Shane, M. (2005). The Sport Psychology Handbook. Canada: Human kinetic publishers, Inc.