1. Mental Training: SELF -TALK Unit IV - Sports Psychology Sports Performance 15 Noreen Baker BPE, BED. W. P. Wagner High School 2006

2. SELF- TALK Self Talk  Being aware of your _____ _____ or the way you talk to yourself.  What we think is very important.

3. SELF- TALK  Self-talk can improve mental states and improve focus, concentration and boost self confidence.  A big way of getting ‘____ ____’ for an event lies in the self-talk that goes through one’s mind.

4. SELF- TALK  Excessive negative self-talk can affect your performance and diminish your self image.  Negative and discouraging self – talk often occurs when ___________ _________ ___________.  “My opponents are much more talented than I am”

5. SELF- TALK  Athletes need to control this ______ ______ in a positive way.  Change negative thoughts ____ _______ ones.  Positive self-talk will help performance if the athlete believes it is true.

6. SELF- TALK Self-Talk will:  Influence your self image or self- belief.  Assist athlete with competitive _______  Change thoughts, feelings and actions.  Help deal with pain, discomfort, sickness or injury.

7. SELF- TALK Uses of Self-Talk: PurposeDirected at:Cue Words Getting ready for performance Optimal level of arousal Peak! Be Ready! Controlling Effort Igniting or adjusting energy Accelerate! Go now!

8. SELF- TALK ________ Optimal level of arousal. Decreasing anxiety “You can handle it” “Stay calm” Improving attention Keeping focus on the present “Be here now” _______ _____ _______ Tolerating pain during training or competition. “Hang on” “Stick with it”

9. SELF- TALK Building Self – Confidence Enhancing, maintaining, reinforcing self- confidence. “I deserve to be here.” “I’m on fire, get out of my way.

10. SELF- TALK Techniques to improve self-talk:  Awareness Be aware of your self-talk.  ___________ Monitor self-talk. Write down self-talk statements that you can remember during performance.

11. SELF- TALK Thought Stopping  Stop negative thoughts before they become harmful.  Briefly concentrate on the mistake you made.  Use cue word, sound or action to stop the thought and clear the mind.  Replace negative thought with a positive thought.

12. SELF- TALK _________  Change negative thought into a positive statement. "I’ve never been able to beat this person before in a race," "I know I am capable of beating this person. All I have to do is take it one mile at a time. I have worked hard, and I am well prepared for this competition."

13. SELF- TALK Negative Thoughts or Statements Positive Thoughts or Statements I don’t deserve to be here. I belong here and I am good enough. I don’t want to let the coach down. I believe in myself and the coach believes in me. I am too slow.I am fit, fast and strong.

14. SELF- TALK Positive Affirmations  A clear statement of what the athlete needs or wants to do. Instead of saying, "I will be strong and fast," say, "I am strong and fast."  Best applied when training conditions are tough or athlete is experiencing a severe problem.

15. SELF- TALK Affirmations need to be:  Written down.  Stated in the positive.  Brief, but precise.  Stated in the present.  Directed at self change.  Possible. “I can do it!”

16. SELF- TALK Ideal performance states:  Your ability to get yourself ready to train or play the game so that you can perform with ________ ______ __________.

17. SELF- TALK Ideal Emotional States:  Your ability to use your emotions or the feelings you have about playing the game to your advantage and to the opposing teams disadvantage.  ________ _______ drive the mental game.