Contributing to the Draft Process in Professional Sport Organizations in the United States and Canada: Perspectives and Guidelines for Sport Psychology Practitioners

Abstract

Sport psychology practitioners may be asked by general managers and coaches of professional sport organizations to contribute to the draft process by providing psychological information about athletes they want to select for their respective teams and organizations. Although it seems that this request for psychological information is increasing in professional sport organizations in the United States and Canada, little guidance has been forthcoming about how sport psychology practitioners can contribute to the draft process. This article provides perspectives on the nature and scope of the draft process based on guidelines for psychological assessment and evaluation, consultation theory and research in sport psychology, and the professional experiences of the authors. It also offers guidelines for how sport psychology practitioners can engage in the draft process in professional sport organizations in the United States and Canada.

Keywords:

• Athlete talent identification
• drafting of athletes
• individual development plans
• professional sport organizations
• psychological assessment
• sport psychology consultation