Discussion—The Battle WithinIn the field of sport and exercise psychology, you are likely to encounter athletes who go through periods where they doubt their abilities. 

No matter how successful they may have been, there will be times when they do not feel confident about their skills. As a consultant, you will need to learn to gather information to assess the situation, determine the cause for their self-doubts, and work with the athletes to develop a plan to help them overcome their obstacles.

Using your textbook and the Argosy University online library resources, research about how you can help clients overcome obstacles; thereafter, address the following:Select one of the following scenarios:  A high-school baseball player who was the star of his team for his first two years has been striking out frequently during a batting slump. He shares with you that as his turn to bat is approaching, he starts thinking that he is going to strike out and that he is battling with this intrusive thought.A marathon runner fell during the last mile of the Boston Marathon and required knee surgery. 

After months of physical therapy, both the orthopedic surgeon and the physical therapist have certified her as medically fit to run again. 

She has registered for another marathon, but she confides in you that she is scared of falling again and reinjuring her knee. 

She hopes you will be able to help her overcome this fear as running is a significant part of her life, and she wants to move forward.The father of an 18-year-old competitive speed skater recently shared with his son a video that depicted former speed skater Dan Jansen falling during the Olympics. The father felt sure that the video would inspire his son and help ensure that his son never made the same mistake. 

Unfortunately, the son is now hesitant when turning corners or passing others because he fears falling. Although the father is convinced his son does not need your assistance, the coach has mandated that the son visit you and that you work with the son on a plan to help him prepare for an upcoming state competition.Considering what you have read about self-efficacy, self-concept, and mastery beliefs, how would you explain the situation to the athlete in the scenario that you have selected?

What recommendations would you make to the athlete in the scenario that you have selected? 

Ensure that you use your textbook readings and scholarly resources identified for this module to support your statements and recommendations.Write your initial response in 100–200 words.

By the due date assigned, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area.
Through the end of the module, review and comment on at least two peers’ responses.
Address the following when reviewing your peers’ responses:Comment on whether or not you would analyze the situation the same way as your peer.

What additional recommendations might you add and why?Assignment 1 Grading Criteria Maximum PointsApplied the concepts of self-efficacy, self-concept, and mastery beliefs to explain the situation to the athlete in the selected scenario.

4Made appropriate recommendations—with appropriate justifications and substantiating with adequate research—for the athlete to overcome obstacles.

8Actively contributed to the discussion by providing points of view with rationale, challenging points of the discussion, or drawing relationships between points of the discussion.

4Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

4Total:20