1. STARTER ACTIVITY In pairs discuss why athletes need to be mentally prepared. How do they do this? Learning Intentions: 1.To explain the aspects of mental fitness 2.To discuss the inverted U theory. Lesson focus: Key concept 3 Aspects of mental fitness

2. Key Concept 3: Physical, skill related and MENTAL ASPECT OF FITNESS There are 3 aspects to mental fitness: Level of arousal Rehearsal Managing emotions

3. Level of arousal: This affects how well you perform. It needs to be at the right level. LOW LEVEL OF AROUSAL = POORER PERFORMANCE This may be due to fatigue, tiredness, other things on your mind or just not being interested. HIGH LEVEL OF AROUSAL = POORER PERFORMANCE This may be due to stress, nerves, being anxious

4. Inverted U theory As arousal increases, so does performance, but only up to a certain level. Further increases in arousal cause a decrease in performance Performance Arousal

5. Performance Arousal Complex skill Simple skill Both curves show that as arousal increases so does performance. In each case too much arousal causes a decrease in performance. A complex skill needs less arousal for optimum performance

6. Rehearsal Rehearsal is running through in your mind what you need to perform well prior to the action. You have to be in control of the pace and speed of your movements These images should be positive with the athlete seeing themselves perform well. Mental rehearsal builds up confidence and self-belief in the athletes self to perform well and do the skills right. Examples: Penalty kick in football/rugby √ Returning a serve in badminton X (Your movement here is dictated by your opponent who decides which serve to use).

7. REHEARSAL AND FOCUS (READ ONLY) Focusing is freeing the mind from distraction and then concentrating thoughts upon the athlete's main aims for the competition or game. The purpose of focusing process is to identify a few key points which if achieved should ensure success. Focusing is closely linked with mental rehearsal, as the athlete might have to run through team tactics or individual techniques to ensure they are remembered and understood. Focusing is useful as it is intended to make the athlete concentrate on what they are about to do instead of their surroundings such as the judging panel or the sights, sounds and pressures of the crowd etc. This is sometimes called being 'in the zone'

8. Managing your emotions This is controlling your feelings in demanding situations. You need to focus and be positive about your performance. You may need to co-operate and work with someone else for success.

9. COMPLETE THESE EXAM QUESTIONS.  Choose and activity and TWO aspects of physical fitness that are important in the activity. Explain why these aspects of fitness are important for EFFECTIVE performance. (6 marks)  Choose ONE aspect of skills related fitness and discuss how it affects the way you perform in an activity (4 marks)  EXPLAIN WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE MENTALLY PREPARED TO PERFORM SUCCESSFULLY (4 marks)  Describe the methods you used to meet your needs for TWO DIFFERENT TYPES of fitness (physical, skill-related or mental). (you may use different activities for each type of fitness chosen.) (6 marks)

10. What next? Wednesday – Final lesson on catch up NABS. (the rest of the catch up NABs MUST be completed in your own time by organising this with your teacher.) NO NAB = FAILURE OF COURSE! NO NAB = FAILURE OF COURSE! Thursday – Complete course notes. Friday – Complete course notes. NEXT WEEK: 2 nd EXAM for each strand of higher. FOLLOWING WEEKS: Exam paper/revision