Certified Mental Coach Online Course Lesson Outline

Introduction:

The Certified Mental Coach course is offered year-round and is the first fully online Flash-based mental skill certification system anywhere in the world. It is designed for athletic coaches and who would like to add mental skills training and concepts to their existing knowledge base. Individuals who complete the course earn the "Certified Mental Coach" designation. The course takes about 14 hours and does not have to be completed at one sitting. When the online Final Test is passed at an 80% level or higher, the CMC designation and id number will be awarded. 

By completing this course, coaches or managers will:
1. Understand what Mental Skills Training is
2. Develop stronger communication and leadership skills
3. Understand the core mental skills necessary for high performance
4. Be able to improve concentration skills
5. Understand what confidence is and how to build it
6. Understand how to implement a Mental Skills Training program

Lesson Synopsis

1. Introduction to Mental Training

Why mental training is important; Effectiveness of metal training; Who will benefit from mental training; Who should conduct mental training; Educational, not clinical approach; Ethical considerations

2. Philosophy

Why philosophy is important; Developing your philosophy; Understanding yourself; Major coaching objective; Difficulties in keeping perspective; Role of the coach

3. Communication

The communication process; Types of communication; Sending messages effectively; Nonverbal messages; Receiving messages effectively –listening skills; Breakdowns in communication; Enhancing coach-athlete-relationships

4. Leadership

Definitions; Leadership styles; Leadership development through sport; Sport models of leadership; Factors affecting sport leadership; Qualities of effective leaders

5. Goal Setting

Definitions - outcome, performance & process goals; How do goals work?; Principles of goal-setting; Setting up a goal-setting program; Problems with goal-setting

6. Motivation

Definition; Principles of positive reinforcement; Principles of punishment; Principles of feedback; Creating a positive motivational climate; Behavioral coaching techniques; Intrinsic motivation -definition; Relationship of intrinsic motivation and external rewards; Building intrinsic motivation

7. Visualization

Definitions; Uses of visualization; Where, what, when and why athletes image; Effectiveness of visualization; Types of visualization; How visualization works; Factors affecting visualization; Keys to effective visualization; Developing a visualization training program

8. Arousal Regulation

Definitions ; State vs Trait; Sources of anxiety; Excess anxiety- physical and mental effects; Anxiety-performance relationships; Anxiety direction and intensity; Physical relaxation procedures; Mental relaxation procedures

9. Concentration

Definition; Shifting attentional focus; How experts focus attention; Types of attentional focus; Attentional problems – internal/external distracters; Self-talk – changing negative to positive; Development of routines; Competition plans; Other strategies to improve concentration

10. Confidence

Definition; Benefits of confidence; Optimal confidence?; Athlete expectations and performance; Coach expectations and performance; Sources of confidence; Confidence in coaches; Confidence in teams; Building confidence

11. Mental Skills Implementation

Assess mental skills ; Determine what skills to include; Provide rationale for training; Provide specific exercises to practice; Be flexible and individualized