Introduction

A psychological skills training programme (PST) is an individually designed combination of methods selected to attain psychological skill needs (Gill, 2000).

PST programmes are all different and each programme must be individualised based on the psychological state of the individual and the sport they take part in. It is vital to distinguish between PST skills and PST methods when assembling a programme; PST skills are the psychological attributes that need to be developed e.g. confidence, motivation or concentration. A PST method is the tool that will be used to help improve the PST skill e.g. listening to music, imagery or goal setting.
Research from (Calmels et al, 2003) on elite athletes show that the most successful athletes differ from less successful ones because they have:

• Better concentration

• Higher confidence

• More task-orientated thoughts

• Lower anxiety

• More positive thoughts and images

• More determination and commitment

PST programmes aim to implement psychological strategies to do the things listed above and more, with the overall aim of improving an athlete's performance level. As everyone is different, a consultation phase involving the athlete and the sports psychologist is crucial as the psychologist can aim to meet the athlete's required needs or desires.