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Issues and Strategies in Sports
“Sports psychology is specifically geared toward helping athletes gain focus and maintain a
“winning” attitude in competition” (Fishman, 2013, p. 1).The purpose of this research is to
identify issues in sport psychology and issues administrators have to deal with. In particular gay,
injured substance using and minority athletes will be discussed. The issues are important in sport
psychology because they are capable of having an influence on different situations. After
identifying and addressing the particular issues, coaches and administrators will be better
equipped to manage and handle the issues when necessary.
Issues in Sport Psychology
There are many issues and trends in sport psychology that are related to performance or social
psychology. “Many of the issues for which sport psychologists are consulted are performancerelated” (Brewer, 2009, p.2). For example, a few issues are substance abuse, injuries, and anger
and anxiety issues. One issue is gay athletes in sports and how they can be viewed by some
people. A recent athlete to come out was the University of Missouri linebacker Michael Sam.
“Sam is eligible for the NFL draft in May and could become the first openly gay player in the
history of the NFL”(Connelly, 2014, p. 1). After watching Sports Center, some of the analysts
were saying his decision to come out might have an effect on which round he is selected. In
earlier years, there were not many announcements of an athlete being gay. In today’s sports gay
athletes are starting to come out more (LeUnes, 2008). Some may say gay athletes don’t belong
in sports because of their sexual orientation, while others may think differently.
Another issue or trend is minority athletes and how they are viewed in sports. Similar to gay
athletes, there are more minority athletes now than in previous years. Professional leagues such
as the NBA, NFL and MLB have a significant amount of minority athletes on the respective
teams. “Rosters in the NBA are 80 percent minority, in the NFL are 70 percent and in the MLB
are 40 percent” (Granderson, 2010, p. 1). The numbers for the different leagues are close to and
more than 50 percent with minority athletes. However, “There are only two majority owners of
color (out of 92 in the three leagues): Arturo Moreno of the Los Angeles Angels and Michael
Jordan of the Charlotte Bobcats” (Granderson, 2010, p. 1). Moreno and Jordan may be the only
two minority owners, but the minority athlete numbers are high.
Coaches and Administrators Issues
Two of many issues coaches or administrators have to deal with are athletes who are injured and
athletes who use performance enhancing drugs. The first issue that will be discussed is injured
athletes. According to National Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, “About 3 million injuries occur
each year” (“How frequently,” 2011, p.1). Injuries have an effect on the players’ performance
and cause the coach to re-evaluate their decisions for the team. The coach has to make sure the
team is still capable of achieving the goals they have set, even without the injured player. Injuries
can happen at any time and alter many things. It’s up to the coach to manage injuries and also
prevent them. Injury prevention is vital in helping athletes become successful and keeping their
bodies in great performance shape. They can happen to anyone and coaches are the ones there
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for support. When injuries occur, there may also be times where athletes use things such as
performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) to have more of an advantage over their teammates and
even opponents.
The second issue coaches and administrators have to deal with is athletes using performance
enhancing drugs (PEDs). Recently, MLB players such as Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun have
been reported using PEDs. The substances give the athlete more of an advantage over other
athletes. Coaches are responsible for their players and if a player is caught using PEDs, there are
consequences for their actions. “The punishments for being caught using PEDs differ depending
on the sport” (Khing, 2014, p. 6). The same goes for athletes using PEDs, coaches have to reevaluate their decisions, because the player might just so happen to be the star player. Coaches
are put in situations where is hurts both sides. To manage this issue, “Coaches at all levels,
including youth sports, should encourage wholesome and fair competition by emphasizing
healthy nutrition and training practices, taking a strong stand against cheating, and avoiding the
“win-at-all-costs” philosophy” (Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness, 2005, p. 1105).
Whether it is substance abuse, injuries, gay or minority athletes, there will be issues that arise in
sports psychology.
Practical Strategies
The issues discussed can have different recommendations, depending on the person. A few
recommendations for gay athletes are by allowing those athletes to compete freely, by not
making it such an issue in the media. Also, by letting their performances on the field speak for
them and not their sexual orientation. Some recommendations for minority athletes are allow
them to play, without viewing them as different. What really matters, the color of their skin or
their ability to effectively perform and be successful? Does the color of their skin or background,
determine the outcome? If the answer is yes, there may need to be different recommendations for
the particular group of athletes. Another recommendation is giving recognition to minorities who
hold high position in various organizations such as owners Arturo Moreno and Michael Jordan.
There may only be a few, but they deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication.
As far as injured players and players who use performance enhancing drugs, there are also
some recommendations to help with these issues. The first for injured players is to properly
stretch before and after practices or other workouts. Also, provide the necessary treatment
such as having the athletes take ice baths to help their muscles and joints. The final
recommendation for injured athletes is getting the proper rest during times where there are
no practices. This will give the bodies try to recover. Players who use performance
enhancing drugs may get a slight advantage, but there are a few recommendations to help
prevent this from happening. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “The use of
performance-enhancing substances for athletic or other purposes should be strongly
discouraged” (Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness, 2005, p. 1105). The athletes need
to know and the consequences they may face and what the drugs can do to their body.
“Colleges, schools, and sports clubs should make use of educational interventions that
encourage open and frank discussion of issues related to the use of performance-enhancing
substances, with the aim of promoting decisions about personal drug use based on principles
of fair competition and character rather than on the fear of getting caught” (Committee on
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Sports Medicine and Fitness, 2005, p. 1105). The more aware and educated the athletes are
there may be fewer athletes who will decide to use PEDs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many issues related to sport psychology. The research discussed gay,
minority, injured and substance abusing athletes. All of which are issues that affect how things
are viewed and how coaches manage the particular issue. Coaches have a responsible to be the
ones there for their team and support and help the team achieve their goals. Whether it’s a gay,
minority, injured or substance abusing athlete, each has its own issues that have to be dealt with.
Coach and administrators are there to manage and be better equipped to handle the situations
when they arise.
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References
Brewer, B. W. (2009). Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science, Sport Psychology [Google
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