1. Mental Skills
Y10 AADP

2. Mental Skills
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.

3. The goal The goal of mental skills is always to focus on the positive.
And to
Help athletes perform to the very best of the abilities.

4. Just performance?
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.

5. What can I use to help my mental performance?
Mental skill methods
What can I use to help my mental performance?

6. Goal setting Simply a goal is an aim, target or dream.
Goals setting can also be used to aid other mental skills
Must be realistic.

7. Why set goals in sport?
Why?

8. What types of goals should you set?
Set technique or performance goals.
Rather than outcome goals.
Everyone else around you sets enough outcome goals for you.

9. Goal setting activity The Goal Setting Pathway or staircase. Juggling
Goal setting staircase.

10. relaxation
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.

11. The purpose Decrease muscle tension Decrease HR Decrease breathing
Also helps shift tension from anxiety to a sense of focus.

12. imagery
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.

13. How does it work?
It allows an athlete to practise skills without actually performing them.
Mental practise rather than physical practise.
Allows the athlete to deal with problems.

14. Why use imagery Can be used for setting goals. Controlling emotions
Activation
Coping with situations be it negative or positive.
Improves focus.

15. Imagery activity
Imagery exercises – page 131 Hodge

16. Self talk Self talk is all positive statements.
Even during negative times.
Self talk involves you and no one else.

17. Self talk
Is conscience thought (you are aware of it) or internal talk.
It influences your feelings
Don’t use negative words.

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

19. Mental prep
Mental prep is used to help an athlete reach optimal arousal or activation.
Also known as psyching yourself up.

20. Mental prep plan There is no set perfect mental prep plan.
Each depends on your needs and preferences.

21. Mental prep tools 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.
Example 152 Hodge