Psych: Psychological Skills

Systematic and consistent practice of mental or psychological skills for the purpose of enhancing performance, increasing enjoyment or achieving greater sport and physical activity satisfaction

• Concentration • Self-confidence • Stress management • Anxiety control • Motivation • Mental resilience

• Imagery • Relaxation • Goal setting • Self-talk

Aiming to complete an action within a specified time limit (SMART) • Directs attention • Increases confidence • Motivates • Encourages problem solving

‘A dialogue in which the individual interprets feelings and perceptions ad gives themselves instructions and reinforcement’ • Directs attention • Motivates • Enhances self-confidence • Controls emotions

Arousal regulation technique to reduce physiological and mental tension How: • diaphragmatic breathing • Progressive Muscular Relaxation • Mindfullness/meditation Why: • Directs attention and focus • Decreases intensity of somatic and cognitive anxiety

An experience that mimics real experience, and involves using a combination of different sensory modalities on the absence of actual perception Why: • Motor learning • Motivate • Enhance self-confidence • expectations • controlling emotions • healing • rehearse performance

• Emotional-focused coping (regulating the emotional responses to the problem that causes stress • Problem-focused coping (efforts to alter or manage the problem that causes the stress)

• Understands specific sport/exercise context • Strengths and weakness of the individual or team • identify areas to work on

• Use of findings from psychological needs assessment • Time • Commitment/motivation • Priorities - working on 1 or 2 skills at a time

Off season

• Repetition of initial assessments • Tests of performance strategies • Evaluation of intervention