Sport Psychology 1 Topic 1: Mental Training Introduction, Self Confidence, Self Awareness

Mental Training Sports psychology is another skill the athlete can train to help gain a competitive and performance edge.

Mental Training When physical skills are evenly matched, the athlete with greater control over his mind will usually emerge as the victor.

Mental Training Mental preparation and confidence can make the difference between succeeding and collapsing in a close contest.

Mental Training Performance in sport = Technical - skills Physical - fitness Tactical - strategies Mental and Emotional - mind-control and composure

Mental Training Six basic mental skills: Self-Awareness Goal Setting Self Talk Attentional Control Relaxation Imagery

Mental Training The toughest opponent an athlete is ever to face may be staring you in the mirror!!!

Self-Awareness Self Awareness The ability to identify what you are thinking, feeling and doing. Helps you to learn who you are in order to develop to your full potential. GOAL: “You are what you think.”…and you can CHANGE what you think!

Self-Awareness Self Fulfilling Prophecy Your beliefs about your abilities affect the outcome of your performance. If you think that you will fail, you probably will. If you expect to be successful, you likely will be. “ What you think is what you’ll get.”

Self-Awareness How to improve self –awareness: Mentally recall performances that were great and not so great. Keep a journal, records of your thoughts.

Self-Awareness How to improve self- awareness: Listen to constructive feedback  Think your mistakes  Feel your successes Learn from the errors and successes of other athletes.

Self Confidence Self-confident athlete: Self motivated to achieve, be the best they can be. Focus on successfully mastering skills. Think they can and usually do.

Self Confidence Ways to improve self- confidence: Avoid using negative self- statements. Know what you can do well. Learn from failures

Self Confidence Ways to improve self- confidence: Commit to performing to the best of their abilities at all times Celebrate accomplishments Belief in Self!!!!

Self Confidence: HOMEWORK - Ha ve each of them do a personal inventory of 5 abilities they are very competent in their sport. They also have to generate one ability they know they can improve on and would be confident in telling their coach it is not an area of strength and that they need some direction for. - Have them generate how they PERSONALLY celebrate their successes (i.e., quiet fist pump, point to the sky, etc.) Ask if this needs to be public and do they need to receive recognition for it or are they ok knowing how they do it. Have them generate a celebration (FUN!!!!!!!) - Ask them what it means for them to “believe in themselves”: What does this mean to them. Have them come back the next time and be prepared to share a topic like this. Use a pair-share-square again or use an anonymous method of having them shared. This can be ed prior to the session to you or you can find a fun way to have them share them in class.