An examination of mental skills training in junior tennis coaches

The effects of mental skills training in youth sport have been well documen ted (Efran, Lessor, & Spiller, 1994; Li-Wei, Qi-Wei, Orlick, & Zitzelsberge r, 1992; WanLin, Hrycaiko, Martin, & Mahon, 1997). This investigation focus ed on understanding why mental skills training information is not being use d by junior tennis coaches and identifying better ways to convey this infor mation to coaches. Focus-group interviews were conducted with 20 elite juni or tennis coaches. Results revealed a need for more mental skills training coach education on content information. Understanding how to teach mental s kills was also emphasized, as was the need for coaches to become more comfo rtable with this process. Coaches suggested that mental skills training inf ormation could be made more user-friendly through development of hands-on c oncrete examples and activities, increased mental skills training resources (particularly audio and video formats), and involvement in mental skills c oach education efforts.