BlazeSports Institute for Applied Science CDSS Level III Curriculum 1

Mental Skills Training II 2

Objectives Discuss development and implementation of a Mental Skills Training program Identify and practice methods that can be used to develop specific mental skills within your program 3

Implementing a MST Program 4 When  Off-season  Pre-season Provides more time to work on mental skills  minutes, 3-5 timers per week  Consistent exposure for 3-6 months

Implementing a MST Program 5 Who  Sport Psychology Consultant  Coach  Administrator

Developing a MST Program Three Phases –Education –Acquisition –Practice 6

Developing a MST Program Education Phase –Importance of MST –How mental skills affect performance –A few hours to a few hours over a few days –Increase participant awareness of the role mental skills play in performance 7

Developing a MST Program Acquisition Phase –Strategies and techniques for learning various mental skills –Can be done by team or by individual –Should be customized to meet specific needs 8

Developing a MST Program 9 Practice Phase –Three Objectives Automate skills through over learning Systematically integrate mental skills into training and performance situations Simulate skills that will be applied in competition

Skills Vs. Methods Skills Qualities to be obtained Methods Procedures or techniques used to develop skills 10

MST Methods Arousal Regulation Imagery Goal Setting Attention/Concentration 11

Skill Categories Foundation -Achievement Drive -Self-Awareness -Productive Thinking -Self-Confidence 12

Skill Categories Performance -Perceptual-Cognitive Skill -Attentional Focus -Energy Management 13

Skill Categories Personal Development -Identity Achievement -Interpersonal Competence 14

Skill Categories Team -Leadership -Communication -Cohesion -Team Confidence 15

Skill Development Breathing Relaxation Imagery 16

Summary Implement a MST program outside of the competitive season Utilize different methods to develop specific skills that are needed by the team and/or individuals Different methods can be used to develop the same skill Developing one skill can aid in the development of other skills 17

Resources Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. (2007). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Williams, J. M. (Ed.). (2006). Applied Sport Psychology: Personal Growth to Peak Performance (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw- Hill. 18

Questions?? 19