Provision of a Mental Skills Intervention Program in an Elite Sport School for Student-Athletes

Abstract

This article provides an overview of a mental skills intervention program in an elite sport school for student-athletes. Initially, we describe the context of mental skills in youth sport and schools. After outlining the background of the authors and subsequently describing the context of an Estonian elite sport school, we will outline an intervention program conducted with 10th grade student-athletes with a specific example of one workshop. We conclude by reflecting on experiences of the program and the importance of working within the environment, developing flexibility and patience, practicing ongoing self-reflection, and being open to asking and receiving feedback to work effectively in an elite sport school.

Keywords:

• Applied sport psychology
• mental skills training
• mindfulness
• sport school
• youth sport