Psychological Skills Training

Your "inner voice"similar to a sports announcer

You are able to actually "hear" what your inner voice is telling you

It can either boost or cripple your performance abilities

positive, upbeat thoughts=boost

negative, harsh thoughts=cripple

This is a mental skill that can be developed prior to, during, or after an event

Many athletes use self talk, including very famous athletes like Michael Jordan and Tom Brady

Very important technique in enhancing performance

Focus attention, enhance motivation

Gives direction in both short term and long term

The S.M.A.R.T. principle is often used to help with goal setting and to help make goal setting more effective

Amy Purdy, Olympic snowboarder, often uses goal setting

Known as the mental imagery and rehearsal

Improves quality of athletes movement, increases concentration, reduces stress and pressure of competitions, and increases athletes confidence

Visualizationis when an athlete is able to invision/picture themself performing thier sport or a skill

It is the most important mental training piece for athletes

Sounds or auditory images are often used to help the athlete with visualization

Emily Cook, an Olympic free-style skier, uses imagery before every competition

It is important to regulate both your relaxation and arousal states

Some athletes do not cope well with stress

Athletes may experience decreases in performance, and physical/emotional distress

Important to stay focused and controlled

Controlled balance can increase the athletes awareness of psychological state which leads to controlled thoughts and feelings

Carli Lloyd, two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion in soccer, uses relaxation to calm herself and focus on things other than soccer