The role of sports psychologists is to prepare athletes mentally for competition in the same way their body is prepared physically. They help athletes deal with stress, pressure, emotions, and set goals. Sports psychologists use mental training techniques like visualization, positive self-talk, relaxation, and anxiety control to improve an athlete's performance and help them overcome competition pressure. Common issues psychologists help with include nerves, lack of discipline, pre-competition anxiety, and depression from feeling they let their team down.