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Applied Psychology

Sports Psychology

Explore the roles that motivation, self-confidence, self-talk and emotional control play in sports performance.

A fit women partaking in some sporting event

Structure

On-demand

Duration

50 hours

Total Hours

50 hours

Start Date

1 October 2026

End Date

31 December 2026

Mode

Self-paced learning

Course Overview

Sports psychology is the study of psychological factors that influence athletic performance.

The Sports Psychology short course explores cognitive processes related to sports performance to help you gain a better understanding of how thought processes can affect an athlete’s behaviour.

Explore the roles that emotions, motivation, self-confidence, self-talk, emotional control and concentration play in sports performance.

Learn how thought processes can affect an athlete’s behaviour and build skills that will enable you to profile athletes and understand the drivers behind sports performance.

What You’ll Learn

Through course videos, readings and discussions, you will explore the following topics:

Thought Processes and Self-talk

Learn about cognitive processes related to sports performance, how thought processes can affect an athlete’s behaviour and how constructive self-talk can positively influence an athlete’s performance.
Gain an understanding of the theoretical principles behind thought and behaviour.

Motivation in Sport

Explore theories of motivation, its subtypes and the role motivation can play in enhancing sports performance.
Explore the differences between arousal, stress, and anxiety, specifically focusing on how to understand and manage these to improve performance.

Emotional Management in Spor

Learn about the role emotions play in sports performance and how emotional intelligence can enhance an athlete’s performance.
Gain an understanding of emotional control and how athletes can develop their EQ.

Self-Confidence in Sport

Learn about the role of self-confidence in sporting performance and how self-confidence can be maintained and enhanced to improve performance.

Concentration and Focus

Explore the role and impact of focus and concentration in sports.
Gain an understanding of the different levels of paying attention and learn how to enhance an athlete’s focus in sport.

Course Outcomes

By the end of this short course you will be able to:

Explain the role of thought and develop constructive self-talk.
Define theoretical principles and subtypes of motivation.
Describe how arousal, stress and anxiety affect sports performance.
Understand the importance of emotional control in sports performance.
Apply your understanding of self-confidence to develop confidence in athletes.
Describe the difference between focus and concentration and enhance attention in sports performance.

Learner Experience

Bradley Bloem

"The course material is fantastic, providing valuable tools to support my clients in counseling. As a former competitive athlete, I wish I had this knowledge sooner, but now I'm eager to share what I've learned with others."

Nevan Moodley

"I had a great learning experience. The course was easy to access and the flexibility worked well with my schedule."

Khensani Masisi

"My online experience was very educational. In a brief amount of time, a lot of essential academic theories were covered. The course provided access to inputs and insights from other learners."

Itumeleng Moraladi

"This was the first time I completed an online course, and it was great! I learned so much and I can't wait to share my new knowledge in a professional and personal capacity."

Paige Thomas

"I have loved my journey with SACAP Global. I have learned many interesting facts about sports psychology and have gained more knowledge on the topic. Being able to learn more about myself, as well as sharing what I have learnt with others makes this course worthwhile!"

Aphiwe Nkala

"It was very informative and valuable! I never considered how much psychological aspects are involved with sports performance. I enjoyed learning about techniques that athletes can use to enhance their concentration and performance, and how I can also use those techniques in my own daily life."

Wesley Kidgell

"This online course definitely trumps other Sports Psychology courses due to the plethora of additional resources, use of relevant videos and valid research articles. Excellent user-friendly learning platform with the ability to interact in discussions with other students. I recommend this course to anyone who wishes to further their career or break into the area of counselling within sport."

Annabelle Robin

"I registered for the Sports Psychology course to improve my coaching skills for children learning to ride horses. I didn't realize how much it would help me in my sporting career. The tools I have gained from the course will last a lifetime."

Jacqueline Steinschaden

"This short course has been very valuable. The course material is relevant and applicable and my learning experience was enriching. I highly recommend this course to anyone in sports, coaching and business roles where managing teams and performance are critical."

Herschelle Howley

"The Sports Psychology short course has helped me gain a broad range of knowledge surrounding the cognitive aspects that affect athletes. I would recommend this course to anyone working with individuals within the sports and fitness industry."

Mmapai Brenda Ramagale

"The online Sports Psychology course offered a comprehensive and structured learning experience, with multimedia resources and expert instruction. I appreciated the ability to learn at my own pace. My learning experience exceeded my expectations."

Jadon Wessels

''The Sports Psychology short course was insightful and entertaining. The course material was well narrated, and I really enjoyed the interactive experience both with the content and the other learners.''

Taylin Blues

''It was great to be able to do the online short course in my own time and get it done effectively without engaging with course instructors.''

Kamishta Dukhi

''The Sports Psychology short course was very informative. The quiz at the end of each section assisted in further reinforcing the course information. The videos that were used in each section to explain concepts were extremely interesting to watch.''

Juliet Bardin

''The short course equipped me with basic knowledge of sports psychology. It was a great way to learn more about this sub-field in psychology and determine whether I want to pursue a career in Sports Psychology.''

Patrick van Heerden

''ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! The short course content is relevant, and informative and has many applications for both personal and professional development. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and the amount of information given to learners.''

Anique Broskie

''The online learning experience suited my needs as a working mother. I enjoyed the flexibility of remote learning. The Sports Psychology short course was thorough, and I feel confident that the knowledge gained throughout the course will serve me well in my next venture as a teen sports mental coach.''

Franco Flach

''I thoroughly enjoyed the short course and found it very relatable. It was easy to log in and out and pick up where you left off. The flexibility was a game changer.''

Nicole Hayes

''Completing the Sports Psychology short course was a wonderful experience! The content covered felt comprehensive, and practical exercises provided invaluable strategies to optimise athletic performance.''

Go-Molemo Moloabi

''I am incredibly grateful for the enriching experience I had during the Sports Psychology course. The knowledge and skills I gained empowered me. I know how to manage cognitive load and apply effective techniques to help others excel under pressure.''

Ferial De Jongh

''The Sports Psychology short course is insightful, well researched and easy to follow.''

Certification

Upon completion, you will receive a digital certificate of completion. This certificate verifies your newfound knowledge and skills.

The Sports Psychology short course has been designed and developed by experts in the field of psychology. The course is for anyone needing to upskill in this area and offers +/- 50 hours of learning.

Dates and Registration

Class of 2026 Oct-Dec: 1 October – 31 December
Class of 2027 Jan-Mar: 1 January – 31 March

Short course classes are on demand allowing you to register at any time and move through course content at a time that suits you. Learners will have access to the course for the class period they choose when registering.

Course highlights

Understand drivers behind sports performance and profile athletes.
Learn how emotions can affect an athlete's behaviour.
Apply psychological theory and research within the context of the sport.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements?

Anyone 18 years of age or older can sign up for this short course. There are no academic entry requirements or conditions.

Who is this short course for?

This short course is for anyone interested in how cognitive processes are related to sports performance.

What is the time commitment?

A total of 50 hours is required to complete the short course.

What do you need to do the short course?

Access to Microsoft Word
Google Chrome (recommended)
Stable internet connection

Is the short course accredited?

The short course is not accredited and non-credit bearing.

What is sports psychology?

Sports psychology explores how physical activity and mental well-being intersect and affect the psychological and physical well-being of athletes. Read more here.

The Team

The SACAP Global team brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience across various disciplines. Our expert short course developers and dedicated support team are passionate about sharing their insights to help you get the most out of your online learning journey.