New Roles for Sport Psychologists: Teaching Life Skills Through Sport to At-Risk Youth

Abstract

Following a discussion of the need to expand the definition of sport psychology to include the use of sport to enhance both sport and life skills, two sportrelated programs designed to enhance life skills are described. The focus of these programs is to promote both life and sport skills for adolescents, especially for those who are underserved. The conceptual framework for these programs is described as is the contents of the programs. The procedures for implementing the programs are delineated. Additionally, the roles played by sport psychologists, including a review of the necessary training to implement such programs, are detailed. Finally, a brief summary of the evaluation data and its connection to similar physical education programs is presented.