Sports & Exercise Psychology Books

The experience of flow is still one of the least understood phenomena in sport. And yet it is one of the richest, most memorable experiences an athlete will ever know.  Some call it a natural "high." Others refer to it as being "in a zone." Whatever the label, flow is that elusive and desired state of consciousness that athletes, coaches, and psychologists have tried to understand, harness, and employ to their benefit ever since Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first coined the term back in the early 1970s.  Written by Susan Jackson and the world-renowned Csikszentmihalyi, Flow in Sports both explains the phenomenon of optimal experience and identifies the key antecedents and conditions associated with its occurrence. Moreover, the authors specify several thoughts and actions that athletes and coaches can engage in to set the stage for flow to occur during training sessions and performances. Their insights are supported throughout the book with real-life examples, testimonial quotes, and research findings.  Find the peak experience—the added fun—that you’ve been missing. Get in flow, and achieve the most incredible performance state you’ll ever know.

Reach your highest goals! Whether you are an athlete, coach, or want to become a high achiever in another walk of life, In Pursuit of Excellence provides the expert advice and proven techniques to fulfill your aspirations. You’ll learn how to develop a more positive outlook, focus your commitment, overcome obstacles to desired outcomes, and achieve greater personal and professional satisfaction. You’ll also discover better ways to work with teammates, respond more effectively to coaching, and become more self-directed in your thoughts and actions.  Author Terry Orlick, an internationally acclaimed sport psychologist, has helped hundreds of Olympic athletes maximize their performances and achieve their goals. In this third edition, Orlick presents his special insights and experiences to help you make the most of your potential. He also identifies the Seven Essential Elements of Human Excellence and provides a step-by-step plan for proceeding along your personal path to excellence.  Both practical and inspirational, In Pursuit of Excellence is a guide to daily living and motivation, as well as a road map to long-term achievement. Read it, use it, and win—on and off the field.

Hit harder, kick faster, jump higher! World champion Tom Seabourne presents dynamic strength and flexibility training, up-to-date nutrition information, and mind/body training for champion martial arts competitors of every style.

Are you willing to dig a little deeper to win? Then arm yourself with the tools you need to understand, manage, and maximize your mental and emotional forces—factors that often determine whether you’re an all-star or an “also-ran.”  In Mastering Your Inner Game, you will first learn how this innovative approach has worked for five real athletes facing real challenges. Then sport psychologist David Kauss will help you identify the people and events in your life that have either contributed to your success or in some way undermined your sport performance. Once you’ve pinpointed these underlying factors, Kauss teaches you how to develop and apply individualized mental training packages to raise or regain your performance level.  Whether you want to break out of a slump, build confidence, or sharpen your focus, Mastering Your Inner Game is your guide to becoming a mentally and emotionally superior athlete.