Categories: All - visualization - imagery - relaxation

by Katherine Heard 4 years ago

166

Psychological Skills Training

Mental training plays a crucial role in athletic performance, incorporating techniques such as imagery, relaxation, self-talk, and goal setting. Imagery, or visualization, allows athletes to mentally rehearse their skills, enhancing movement quality, concentration, and confidence, while reducing stress.

Psychological Skills Training

Psychological Skills Training

Relaxation/Arousal Regulation

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
Controlled balance can increase the athletes awareness of psychological state which leads to controlled thoughts and feelings
Important to stay focused and controlled
Athletes may experience decreases in performance, and physical/emotional distress
Some athletes do not cope well with stress
It is important to regulate both your relaxation and arousal states

Main topic

Imagery/Visualization

Emily Cook, an Olympic free-style skier, uses imagery before every competition
Sounds or auditory images are often used to help the athlete with visualization
It is the most important mental training piece for athletes
Visualizationis when an athlete is able to invision/picture themself performing thier sport or a skill
Improves quality of athletes movement, increases concentration, reduces stress and pressure of competitions, and increases athletes confidence
Known as the mental imagery and rehearsal

Goal Setting

Amy Purdy, Olympic snowboarder, often uses goal setting
The S.M.A.R.T. principle is often used to help with goal setting and to help make goal setting more effective
Gives direction in both short term and long term
Focus attention, enhance motivation
Very important technique in enhancing performance

Self Talk

Many athletes use self talk, including very famous athletes like Michael Jordan and Tom Brady
This is a mental skill that can be developed prior to, during, or after an event
It can either boost or cripple your performance abilities
negative, harsh thoughts=cripple
positive, upbeat thoughts=boost
You are able to actually "hear" what your inner voice is telling you
Your "inner voice"similar to a sports announcer