ABSTRACT
This chapter provides coaches with information regarding how they can help their athletes experience challenge states and minimise the occurrence of threat states in order to enhance performance and well-being in pressurised situations. It contains information on: a definition of challenge and threat states; physiological implications of challenge and threat states; the relationship between challenge and threat states and sporting performance; the determinants of challenge and threat states and implications for coaches; and techniques to maximise challenge and minimise threat. The sport psychology literature indicates that there are three psychological constructs that determine whether athletes will experience a challenge or a threat state: control, self-efficacy, and achievement goal perspective. Other factors that may influence the occurrence of challenge or threat states are perceptions of coach behaviour, the coach-athlete relationship, and dyadic coping. Coaches can manipulate challenge states through their behaviour, statements they make to athletes, and through training in psychological skills such as mental imagery.
