Billy Elliot

Sport Psychology Topics:

1. Children and sport psychology.
2. Psychological skills training for artistic performance activities. For example go hee to read about a book on Psychology of Dance

We will use the film “Billy Elliot” two examine the two central themes of psychological aspects of children’s participation in sport and dance, and the use of psychological skills by the “artistic” sports (e.g., figure skating, gymnastics) and dance.

References for this Film Analysis

Fish, L., Hall, C., & Cumming, J.  (2004).  Investigating the use of imagery by elite ballet dancers. AVANTE, 10, pp. 26-39. Imagery in Ballet.

Here is an additional article of interest (optional – NOT mandatory reading):

Nordin, S.M., & , Cumming, J. (2006). The Development of Imagery in Dance, Part I: Qualitative Findings from Professional Dancers. The Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 10, 21-27, which can be downloaded here for temporary use in our class: danceimagery.

Useful Links

Here is a link to a consultant who discusses the advantages of PST for dancers. This link makes it clear that sport science applies just as much to dance as it does to sport. Even the English National Ballet School invites sport psychologists to come and lecture the dancers!