the branch of psychology that studies and develops the fundamental psychological principles of physical education and sports skills.

Together with an athlete’s physical, technical, and tactical training, psychological training is a major factor in determining the success of performance in competition. Connected with this are the problems of studying the special features of sports as compared to other kinds of activity and of distinguishing the principal psychological functions and personality qualities that play a deciding role in various types of sports. It is also important to elucidate the psychological structure of the skills that must be mastered during instruction and training. The solution of many problems in sports psychology is of general psychological significance. These problems include the problem of effective tactical thinking and group dynamics in team sports and the problem of demonstrating effective means of controlling a person’s psychological state in extreme and stress situations.