Outline

Overview

Sport coaching is a complex multivariate process that involves the interaction of personal, environmental, and contextual factors. Coaches now recognise the critical role sport and performance psychology plays in athlete development, wellbeing and performance. This unit examines topics such as personality, motivation, performance anxiety, emotions, self-regulation, relationships, mindset, and culture. Greater understanding of these concepts will assist coaches in improving their own and their athletes' sporting experiences.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Education
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Donna O'Connor, donna.oconnor@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Case studies	Solution focused coaching (report) detailed description is available on Canvas	50%	Week 07 Due date: 15 Apr 2026 at 23:59	3000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Scenarios practical and written response	20%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Apr 2026 at 19:00	1000 word equivalent	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Reflective journal Detailed description is available on Canvas	30%	Week 13 Due date: 27 May 2026 at 23:59	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

There is a 5% penalty for each calendar day for late assignments.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Unit overview 2. The evolution and use of Psychology in modern sport 3. Prior Sport Psychology exposure (Understanding biases) 4. Goal Setting principles 5. Outline the Role of a Coach in Mental performance	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	1. The Human learning process 2. Skill Acquisition vs Skill Retention vs Skill Optimisation 3. How to create consistency in performance 4. A Coaches influence and how to optimise (Pygmalion vs Golem effect) 5. Male and Female learning similarities and differences of the brain in Sport	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	1. Changing the relationship with Pressure - F.F.P (Fit For Purpose) 2. Self-confidence vs Self-efficacy vs Anti Fragility 3. Creating a conducive environment to perform 4. Mental Toughness vs Mental Resilience and why we need to create both	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	1. What is Motivation and how to get it 2. Achievement Goal Theory 3. Self Determination Theory 4. Emotions vs Process vs Strategy vs Flow State in Sport	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	1. how to prepare for performance 2. how to consistently perform 3. how to debrief 4. growth cycle data and integration	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	1. The Performance Anxiety Cycle 2. Performance Amnesia - Performance borking 3. Self-Doubts - How to recognise, manage, minimise 4. Imposter Syndrome 5. Managing negative thoughts, Emotions, Behaviours (CBT Triangle)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	1. performing under pressure 2. the use of an alter ego in performance 3. dealing with mistakes and missed opportunities 4. the weight of winning and losing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	in class assessment task	Assessment (2 hr)
Week 09	TBC	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	1. Effective use of Visualisation and Mental Imagery in Sport 2. Mental Blocks, the cause, the solution and the minimisation 3. Why we lose skills 4. How to keep athletes engaged whilst injured, in recovery / in rehab	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	1. mental performance programs are not a panadol 2. co-dependency - how to recognise it and manage it 3. constant expectations on mental welfare costs vs benefits 4. effective constant assessment processes	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	1. Wrap up of each week's key points 2. putting it altogether - building a mental performance program 3. mental health of the athlete, the team, & coaches 4. Q&A	Lecture (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

These are available via the reading list on canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. apply theoretical knowledge to critique factors that influence performance so you can improve your own and your athletes experiences
LO2. select appropriate strategies to enhance performance and well-being in a high performance environment
LO3. create a solution focused approach to a psychological coaching issue
LO4. critically reflect on the psychological factors that influence performance, strategies you can implement and your personal development as a coach.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on student feedback the learning activities have been updated to include additional applied examples and scenarios.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EDPN6018: Sport and Performance Psychology

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links