MENTAL SKILLS

Y10 AADP

It is often said that to gain the complete performance it is 10% physical and 90% mental.

There are a range of mental skills you can use to aid performance.

MENTAL SKILLS

The goal of mental skills is always to focus on the positive.

And to

Help athletes perform to the very best of the abilities.

THE GOAL

No!

Mental skills are also used for athletes returning from injury.

Used to get out of form slumps.

All done by focusing on the positive.

JUST PERFORMANCE?

MENTAL SKILL METHODS

What can I use to help my mental performance?

Simply a goal is an aim, target or dream.

Goals setting can also be used to aid other mental skills

Must be realistic.

GOAL SETTING

WHY SET GOALS IN SPORT?

Why?

Set technique or performance goals.

Rather than outcome goals.

Everyone else around you sets enough outcome goals for you.

WHAT TY PES O F GO AL S SHOU L D YO U SET?

The Goal Setting Pathway or staircase.

Juggling

Goal setting staircase.

GOAL SETTING ACTIVITY

The point of relaxation is for you to become physically and mentally free of any uncontrollable.

It is characterised by feelings of ease and looseness.

RELAXATION

Decrease muscle tension

Decrease HR

Decrease breathing

Also helps shift tension from anxiety to a sense of focus.

THE PURPOSE

Is the ability to re create objects, skills, situations in your mind without actually being involved in the activity.

It is more than visualisation

It involves all senses.

IMAGERY

It allows an athlete to practise skills without actually performing them.

Mental practise rather than physical practise.

Allows the athlete to deal with problems.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Can be used for setting goals.

Controlling emotions

Activation

Coping with situations be it negative or positive.

Improves focus.

WHY USE IMAGERY

IMAGERY ACTIVITY

Imagery exercises – page 131 Hodge

Self talk is all positive statements.

Even during negative times.

Self talk involves you and no one else.

SELF TALK

Is conscience thought (you are aware of it) or internal talk.

It influences your feelings

Don’t use negative words.

SELF TALK

Create a Self talk list that you could implement during activities.

SELF TALK ACTIVITY

Mental prep is used to help an athlete reach optimal arousal or activation.

Also known as psyching yourself up.

MENTAL PREP

There is no set perfect mental prep plan.

Each depends on your needs and preferences.

MENTAL PREP PLAN

The most common is music.

Thinking about performance early in the week.

Visualisation

Take time to do it properly, you can’t do it the 5 mins before.

MENTAL PREP TOOLS

Example 152 Hodge