(pg )Self - Talk

Technique used in the form of thoughts in an athlete’s head or words actually spoken to improve concentration (Amezdroz et al, 2010).

Self talk Based on the theory that what people say to themselves has an affect on the way they behave Central idea – focusing on the desired thought leads to the desired behaviour Self talk is widely promoted as an integral psychological skill for improving sports performance

Netball Open environment rarely time for self-talk before the execution of skill

Self talk when playing netball (Amezdroz et al, 2004) During natural occurring breaks such as prior to game when ball goes out of bounds between points during substitution between halves any other break in the flow of the game

Four forms of self talk positivenegativeinstructionalneutral

Four main types of self - talk Physical skills that require strength & endurance Positive effect on self-confidence, concentration and motivation Great shot, let’s go, come on Positive Most common & is detrimental to performance Critical thoughts & counterproductive emotions I’ll never make the team, I can’t even beat this guy Negative Fine motor skills that require precision & accuracy (archery, golf) Use metaphors (wrist snap) to develop a narrow focus for attention or instruction (drive with the arms) Technical or instructional Endurance events Put aside pain & discomfort and think about anything else other than current event Neutral

The key identify when negative self- talk is used and turn these thoughts into positive ones Examples include phrases such as “great skills”, “this is an easy skill”, “I always get these” or “this is my favourite”.

Thought- stopping when recognise a negative cue, can refocus on skill Key is to recognise negative thought & stop its impact Eg. Say stop, clap hands, click fingers, slap thigh Refocusing plans Plan specific thoughts for moments that could occur in a match which may distract Train to remove negative self – talk & replace with positive, technical cues Repeat phrases “Keep eyes on net” “focus on hands” “watch ball into hands”

Instructional self talk particularly effective in fine motor skills requiring precision and accuracy Can use phrases as a pre-planned instructional self-talk to refocus rather than simply looking at the negative outcome “slow down and focus on the net – extend arms and follow through” “fingers apart, soft hands” “Elbows out and push from chest” “ ball of foot on ground and twist”