Applied Sport Psychology - A Case-Based Approach

Taking a refreshingly different approach to the subject, this textbook uses a set of original case studies to illustrate the application of sport psychology in practice. Written by a team of experienced practitioners, it covers a variety of sports within an individual and a team setting.


The book is divided into four sections. Section 1 outlines the structure of the book and describes the relevance of applied experience in sport psychology. Sections 2, 3 and 4 comprise the case studies themselves. These outline the theory, reveal the philosophical underpinning of the practitioner, and report the psychological intervention used, the rationale for its usage, and the monitoring and evaluation of that intervention, and conclude with a summary and a set of questions. 


Each case study demonstrates scientific and intellectual rigour, an evidence-based approach and reflective practice. 


This text will prove invaluable to sport psychology students by providing ‘real world’ integration of different areas of theory and practice for performance enhancement.




* Uses original case studies to demonstrate the application of sport psychology across a variety of sports.

* Shows’ real world’ integration of different areas of theory and practice for performance enhancement.

* Each case study will demonstrate scientific and intellectual rigour, an evidence-based approach and reflective practice.

* Provides summaries and questions at the end of each chapter.

* Written by a team of well-known, experienced contributors.

Dr Brian Hemmings, Sports Psychology Consultant based in Northampton, UK

Dr Tim Holder, Reader in Applied Sport Psychology, St. Mary's College, Twickenham, UK

"Overall, the text is a sensibly organized, well referenced and scholarly volume. It blends solid theoretical underpinnings with the applied practice of psychologists with athletes, teams, and organizations." (American Psychological Association, Summer 2010)
"A very welcome addition to sport psychology library.... Great insights into the practical challenges and quandaries sport psychologists are faced with. Its user friendly layout, practical nature, and detailed real-life experiences of working with athletes in the applied field makes it an enjoyable read not only for students, academics, and trainee sport psychologist, but also for range of sport professionals." (The Sports Psychologist, December 2009)
"Applied Sport Psychology: A Case-Based Approach edited by Brian Hemmings and Tim Holder is without a doubt a very welcome addition to sport psychology library. I personally could not think of better persons to edit such a book, as both authors are not only exceptional academics, but also highly reputable sport psychology consultants." (Dr. Monna Arvinen-Barrow, The University of Northampton, 2009)
"A strength of the book is the emphasis given to reflective practice. The best case-studies, explore evaluations of intervention(s) and consultant effectiveness in depth and demonstrate the importance of relationship aspects of consulting. These sections within the book are essential reading for students and would likely benefit a far-reaching audience of practicing psychologists in any field." (Jonathan Bint, The Psychologist, 2009)
"Between them the authors have a wide range of experience, expertise and philosophy. The quite unique combination of these attributes in each case study ensures the content of the book it extremely varied and for that reason stimulating and engrossing." (Prof. Ian Maynard, Sport and Exercise Psychology Review)
"This publication provides a welcome addition to the sport psychology literature in moving away from the traditional research/theory/review-style texts and describing what applied sport psychologists actually do." (Dr. Neil Weston, The Sport and Exercise Scientist (BASES) )