INTRODUCTION TO MENTAL SKILLS TRAINING Damon Burton & Bernie Holliday University of Idaho

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What is the “mental skills” approach? of competition? Why is the “mental skills” approach important? Why don’t practitioners make greater use of this approach? What are the 3 phases of MST? What role do process variables play in MST effectiveness? What process variables are important to utilize?

WHAT IS MENTAL SKILLS TRAINING? Most athletes develop mental training tools and skills through trial and error. MST’s goal is to enhance the development and automation of mental training tools and skills through a comprehensive and systematic program. Good MST programs speed up and enhance the development process, ensure that performers develop more fully, perform at a higher level, enjoy sport more and transfer these skills to all other areas of their lives.

WHY MST IS IMPORTANT? Have you ever “played down” to a lesser-skilled opponent’s ability level? Have you ever choked at a critical point in a game or match? Have you ever thought about non- sport-related activities during practice or competition? Have you ever skipped a workout because you didn’t feel motivated, energized, or focused?

WHY MST IS IMPORTANT Preseason Season Postseason

WHY MST IS IMPORTANT Preseason Season Postseason

WHY ATHLETES AND COACHES DON’T USE MST? Lack of knowledge about MST and sport psychology, “You have to be confident!” “Concentrate!” and “Relax out there!” Belief that mental skills are innate and unchangeable “That Bernie’s just a head case under pressure” Lack of time Buying into all of the MST myths…

MST MYTHS MST is for problem athletes only No more than 10% of athletes require clinical services MST is for elite athletes only Youth athletes to professionals Athletes, businessmen, actors, performers, musicians, and surgeons use MST The “magic wand” myth MST doesn’t work and isn’t useful

DOES MST WORK? Elite performer research Anecdotal reports from athletes and coaches Intervention studies Weinberg & Comar (1994) Vealey (1994) Meyers, Whelan & Murphy (1996)

CATEGORIZING MST TOOLS AND SKILLS Mental Training Tools MENTAL SKILLS motivation energy management attention stress management self-confidence goal setting imagery self talk relaxation and energization

3+ PHASES OF MST Old School… New School… Education Concentration lecture… Acquisition Concentration activities… Implementation Automate Build into your game Perform under pressure New School… Education Acquisition Practice Implementation Skill-transfer strategies Performance Less-learned skills break down under pressure and old habits resurface

WHO SHOULD PERFORM MST? Sport Psychologist Problem(s): Coach/Exercise Leader Athlete Problems(s):

WALKING THE WALK: IMPLEMENTING MST PROGRAMS When to begin… Ideally, off-season or preseason More time to learn and automate new skills Less pressure to win How long should MST programs last … First exposure for 3 to 6 months Then, lifetime commitment

WALKING THE WALK: IMPLEMENTING MST PROGRAMS Needs assessment Oral interviews Complete MST inventories Performance profiling Beware the “canned” MST program! Use logs to identify critical mental training tools and skills for each individual athlete Provide vision and long-term goals

WALKING THE WALK: IMPLEMENTING MST PROGRAMS 4. Develop systematic practice routine and schedule 5. Develop and implement the MST program based on previous steps 6. Systematically evaluate and revise MST program Develop a strategy to monitor progress (e.g., logs, etc.) 7. Reward goal attainment regularly

SOME COMMON MST IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS Lack of conviction Sell, sell, sell using relevant examples! Lack of time Coaches must commit time Lack of consultant’s sport knowledge Learn, learn, learn! Lack of follow-up ‘Community of Learners’ approach

PERSONAL SCIENCE TIE-IN TO MENTAL TRAINING Baseline data collection to enhance self- awareness to enhance program personalization, Use logs for self-monitoring to make progress more explicit, Coaches must commit time Work through coaches and identify practice strategies to teach mental and physical skills simultaneously, Buy-in skyrockets when part of comprehensivetraining. Provide ‘implementation’ time to overlearn new mental skills.