Papers by Stephen Mellalieu
Routledge eBooks, Aug 4, 2016
International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, Nov 22, 2022
A constraints-led approach (CLA), based on an ecological dynamics rationale for athlete learning ... more A constraints-led approach (CLA), based on an ecological dynamics rationale for athlete learning and development has been applied to analyses of individual and team sports. To date, such an approach has yet to be applied to the learning of coaches. Here, we propose how applying a CLA in education and professional development programmes can shape emerging behaviours of coaches as they interact with constraints of representative environments to adapt their practice. A core concept within ecological dynamics for coach education is the conceptual differentiation between knowledge of (direct perception) and knowledge about (indirect perception) the environment. Current coach education and development practices focus primarily on the acquisition and transmission of knowledge about, which over-relies on provision of (abstract) verbal and visual augmented corrective information found in manuals. Reconsidering coaches' behaviours as emerging under constraints provides a coach developer opportunities to identify and manipulate key individual, environmental and task constraints. This approach guides attention to relevant and alternative affordances (opportunities for action) when coaching, and promotes continuous self-regulation of coach learning, supported by an experienced mentor. Learning to coach through a CLA could result in an extensive appreciation of multiple sources of knowledge, resulting in a continuously deepening fit between the coach and their performance environment. An ecological perspective of a coach learning to adapt to the constraints of a performance environment offers an alternative to current formalised coach development practice.
The purpose of this thesis was concerned with the identification of the nature and content of the... more The purpose of this thesis was concerned with the identification of the nature and content of the pre performance affective experience of the rugby union performer, and the subsequent measurement of the efficacy of a psychological intervention strategy to enhance the precompetitive mental state. Study 1 of the thesis conducted a preliminary investigation into the overall experience of sports performers' precompetitive affect (i.e., negative/positive) and the relationship with symptoms associated with competitive anxiety through the employment of trait self-report measures. The findings highlighted the importance of maintaining favourable perceptions of anxiety in the experience of positive affect. In order to describe the nature of this positive affective state, a sport specific self-report scale was designed and validated in Study 2 within a population of competitive athletes. Study 3 used the scale to examine the content of the pre performance affective experience and the relationship with interpretations of symptoms associated with competitive anxiety. The findings identified the existence of competitive anxiety symptoms. In order to derive a comprehensive understanding of the precompetitive experience a qualitative perspective was employed in Study 4. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 international, male, rugby union players. Appropriate pre performance mental states were identified with symptoms associated with mental, physical, and technical readiness. Inappropriate pre performance mental states were symptomatic of a lack of mental, physical and technical readiness and negative experiences associated with competitive anxiety symptoms. The study also established the influence of significant others upon an individual's mental preparation for competition within the context of the team sport. A final purpose of Study 4 was to describe the psychological strategies employed by performers to achieve appropriate pre performance mental states. The study identified the employment of task-specific imagery in order to facilitate appropriate pre performance mental states. Utilising these findings, the final study of the thesis adopted a single-case design to investigate the efficacy of a task-specific imagery strategy in enhancing appropriate mental readiness for performance in 4 sub-elite rugby union players. The findings demonstrated enhancement in pre performance mental readiness across all participants. Specifically, increases in the level of mental preparation and self-confidence were identified, whilst a lower level of competitive anxiety symptoms were reported. The overall findings of the thesis have facilitated a greater understanding of the affective experiences and psychological strategies of competitive athletes prior to performing. Practical recommendations are proposed in order to facilitate the enhancement and achievement of ideal precompetitive mental states in sports performers. These outline the importance of employing structured task-specific imagery to facilitate appropriate activation states and the need to establish structured mental 'warm up' periods in the preparation for competition.
Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, Feb 1, 2020
Applied sport psychology has developed substantially in recent decades, and there exist a multitu... more Applied sport psychology has developed substantially in recent decades, and there exist a multitude of views regarding how contemporary practices can be best defined and conceptualized. In this paper, we reflect on these developments and draw from a growing body of literature on professional development, in an attempt to provide clarity on the expanding roles and responsibilities of the applied sport psychology practitioner. In so doing, we acknowledge the recent diversification of applied sport psychology practices, with an emphasis on competencies relating to: working with more diverse performance populations (e.g., in business, military, healthcare, education, and the performing arts); engaging in organizational psychological practices; positive youth development; promoting life skills; and mental health and counselling support provisions Further, we offer suggestions for the future of applied sport psychology education and training, in an effort to contribute to the profession's continued journey toward maturation. This includes discussion surrounding the possible implementation of multi-supervisory pathways, extended placement opportunities and engagement in post training practices within specialist performance domains, in an effort to aid the development of more diverse competencies which reflect the multiplicity of current practice.
Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, Oct 1, 2003
The purpose of this study was to investigate imagery experiences in performers with visual impair... more The purpose of this study was to investigate imagery experiences in performers with visual impairments. Structured, in-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with six elite goalball athletes regarding the processing and use of mental images in training and competition. Interview transcripts were analyzed using deductive and inductive procedures and revealed four general dimensions describing the athletes' uses of imagery. Participants reported using imagery for cognitive and motivational purposes in both training and competition. Imagery was also suggested to be utilized from an internal perspective with the processing of images derived from a range of modalities. The findings suggest that visual impairment does not restrict the ability to use mental imagery and that psychological interventions can be expanded to include the use of all the athletes' sensory modalities.
Journal of sport psychology in action, Mar 16, 2017
This article describes my experiences of working within professional rugby union in South Wales, ... more This article describes my experiences of working within professional rugby union in South Wales, United Kingdom. Initially, I locate the context of professional rugby union in the country alongside how my various subcultural understandings of the sport were obtained. After outlining my consulting philosophy developed for working in a professional rugby union context, subsequent cultural challenges for practitioners working in the sport are then explored, together with example strategies used to account for such cultural considerations. I conclude by reflecting upon the importance of practitioners possessing and developing contextual intelligence and cultural competency to work effectively in high performance environments.
This is a transcript of an e-mail conversation between Steve Mellalieu and Andy Lane. Each e-mail... more This is a transcript of an e-mail conversation between Steve Mellalieu and Andy Lane. Each e-mail contribution had a maximum word limit of 500 words and following each contribution the respondent had a maximum of two weeks to respond. It was first published in The Sport and Exercise Psychology Review, and the editor (referee) was Dr Marc Jones who was copied into all contributions
Sports Biomechanics, Mar 4, 2020
Artificial turf (AT) is common at all levels of soccer and rugby. Employing an interdisciplinary ... more Artificial turf (AT) is common at all levels of soccer and rugby. Employing an interdisciplinary design this study aimed to examine the extent to which the negative attitude commonly expressed by players concerning AT is based on difference in technique between AT and natural turf (NT), or due to pre-existing biases. Thirty professional soccer and rugby players performed a defined set of movements with masked and normal perception conditions on NT and AT. Two-dimensional kinematic analysis (100 Hz) of characteristics in parallel to a psychological assessment of the impact of cognitive bias for a playing surface was assessed. No significant interaction effects between level of perception and surface type were found. For AT, contact time (CT) was shorter across conditions, while for NT rugby players had longer CT during acceleration/deceleration phases and shorter flight times. Pre-existing negative bias against AT was found during the normal perception trials in the technology acceptance model (Usefulness and Ease of Use) and the general preference questions on how much the athlete would like to play a game on it. The results suggest that opinion was not driven by surface characteristics, but by a cognitive bias, players brought with them to the pitch.
It's good to talk… Injury Rich During 2015/16 my role as a (very) part-time sport psychologist wi... more It's good to talk… Injury Rich During 2015/16 my role as a (very) part-time sport psychologist within a rugby team has been one of supporting the injured players within the support team set up. I have been scheduled infrequently in the evenings and on weekends to be at the rugby club venue for the following reasons: 1) being an outlet for the performers to support their adherence to medic, physiotherapist, strength and conditioning coach, or performance analyst directed/agreed goals; 2) being an outlet for any issues that the performers may be experiencing at different stages of the rehab process; and, 3) working with the performers to identify strategies to improve confidence and mental preparation on their return to rugby. Underpinning my work is the well-being of the player, collaborating with a fantastic support team who attempt to have one eye on the person along with another on the performer-one factor that attracted me to work in the setup. When meeting with the players, I aim to consider their eudaimonic (personal growth aligned to self) and hedonic (happiness/life satisfaction) well-being. Such a perspective can help the players adhere to their rehabilitation programme and be more confident and comfortable on return to play from their injury. To elaborate, working with the players on strategies that can maintain or achieve the above objectives in order to improve well-being. Also, improving well-being will help the players to feel better about their injury situation and maintain progress towards recovery. Given the salience of maintaining and developing hedonic and eudaimonic states it is important for support staff to monitor the social and personal predictors of well-being to intervene at appropriate times. These predictors can include, for example, feelings of isolation from the group (relatedness), lack of perceived progress (growth), lack of perceived purpose within the environment (purpose in sport), inability to cope (mastery), lack of desire to commit to, and perceived control over, a programme (autonomy), and frustration at being unable to train or compete-sometimes underpinned by a
BMJ open sport and exercise medicine, Mar 1, 2023
Professional male rugby union players' perceived psychological recovery and physical regeneration... more Professional male rugby union players' perceived psychological recovery and physical regeneration during the off-season.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, Oct 1, 2004
Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Mar 1, 2017
experience stress. However, the extent to which experiences of stress are shared within the athle... more experience stress. However, the extent to which experiences of stress are shared within the athletic triad is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the individual and shared stress experiences among youth swimmers, their mothers, and coach within the context of training, tapering, and competition. Design: Multi-case study design. Method: Four female swimmers, their mother, and one coach completed daily diaries for six weeks and up to three semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through within-and cross-case thematic analysis. Results: The study showed evidence of shared stress experiences between all three members of the athletic triad. Participants predominately encountered organizational stressors, which they appraised in relation to movements between squad, interpersonal relationships, and overall progress towards performance goals/outcomes. Numerous coping strategies were employed by participants, with varying degrees of effectiveness, such as seeking social support, distancing, and lift sharing. The coping strategies used by coaches, swimmers, and parents were often interrelated with participants frequently seeking emotional support from one another. The majority of stressors and appraisals cited by parents and swimmers were shared, with both heavily relying on social support to help each other cope with the stressors encountered. Conclusion: Athletes, parents, and coaches have the capacity to influence one another's stress experiences and as such their experiences should be considered simultaneously to maximize the impact of interventions.
Strength and Conditioning Journal, Oct 1, 2018
Drawing from skill acquisition and development literature, we present a novel tackle skill traini... more Drawing from skill acquisition and development literature, we present a novel tackle skill training framework. The framework outlines the training purpose (technique proficiency, technique capacity, skill proficiency and skill capacity), skill workload measurements (available information, task difficulty, rating of perceived challenge, skill load), as well as the training conditions and coaching style for the tackle in rugby union. Using this framework and skill load measurements, we propose a pre-season tackle training plan. This tackle skill framework and skill load measurements serve as potential preventative measures for tackle injury risk while improving players' tackle performance.
Sport Psychologist, Jun 1, 2018
This study explored stakeholders' perceptions of Welsh adolescent rugby union participation. A St... more This study explored stakeholders' perceptions of Welsh adolescent rugby union participation. A Straussian grounded theory approach (Corbin & Strauss, 2008) was adopted and data collection was conducted via semi-structured interviews with 15 individuals involved in Welsh adolescent rugby union. Data were analyzed through open and axial coding procedures, and theoretical integration. Stakeholders perceived that continued rugby participation resulted from a positive evaluation of one's participation in the sport, and one's ability to cope with the demands experienced throughout transitions during adolescence. Overall, the findings provide a substantive grounded theory of stakeholders' perceptions of continued participation in adolescent Welsh rugby union, and applied implications, in an aim to promote continued sport participation. Continued Participation in Rugby Union 2 Within the United Kingdom, substantial dropout from sport, particularly team sport, is a continuing problem, warranting a call for strategies to enhance sport retention (Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, 2010). An age group that continues to be of particular concern for sport participation is that of adolescence (Stambulova, 2012). Reflecting these concerns, rugby union in Wales has experienced reduced levels of participation among adolescent age groups (cf. Welsh Rugby Union, 2014). The importance of rugby to Wales as a nation is ever
Routledge eBooks, Feb 17, 2015
Have you ever found yourself with sweaty hands on a first date or felt your heart pound during a ... more Have you ever found yourself with sweaty hands on a first date or felt your heart pound during a scary movie? Then you know you can feel stress in both your mind and body. This automatic response developed in our ancient ancestors as a way to protect them from predators and other threats. Faced with danger, the body kicks into gear, flooding the body with hormones that elevate your heart rate, increase your blood pressure, boost your energy and prepare you to deal with the problem.
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Papers by Stephen Mellalieu