KEY KNOWLEDGE KEY SKILLS

Psychological strategies used to improve performance levels and assist recovery including sleep, meditation, motivational techniques, optimal arousal, mental imagery and concentration.

Recognise and understand various psychological factors which impact on either performance and recovery

Participate in, analyse and report on a variety of psychological practices aimed at improving performance levels and recovery.

© Cengage Learning Australia 2011

© Cengage Learning Australia 2011

Psychological skills trainingDeals mainly with cognitive behaviour aspects of sports psychology and involve:

• using mental rehearsal prior to competition

• developing detailed competition plans and coping strategies

• practicing routines under game-like situations

• focusing concentration

• blocking out irrelevant cues and thoughts

• practicing skills under a variety of arousal and anxiety situations

• enhancing self-confidence and situational awareness

• improving motivation.

© Cengage Learning Australia 2011

Motivation techniquesExtrinsic motivating factors are external to the athlete and include prize money, trophies, progress charts, certificates.Intrinsic motivating factors come from within the individual and include enjoyment from participation, self-satisfaction with performances, etc.

Positive motivation should be applied more regularly than negative motivation, especially with beginners.Negative motivation should be used if performance is inadequate or incorrect

The Australian Coaching Council recommends coaches use ten times more positive reinforcers than negative ones.

© Cengage Learning Australia 2011

Goal settingGoals need to be set for both training and competition.Three types of goals exist – outcome, performance and process.

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• Athletes have greatest control over performance goals• Goal setting should be done according to SMARTER

Goal setting leads to improved performances by:• focussing attention on important aspects of performance• activating and organising efforts• encouraging perseverance• promoting the development of new strategies• refining movements and set plays• contributing towards a positive psychological state.

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• Self-confidence is an individual’s belief they will be successful.• Confident players believe in themselves and their abilities to reach their potential.• Self confident people exhibit positive emotions.• Self-confident people remain calm under pressure and stay focused and on task.• Confidence and arousal are very closely associated/linked.

Improving confidence• Success is vital in enhancing confidence.• As skills are mastered, attention should shift to game play and strategies and

PST• Positive thoughts are very important in gaining & maintaining confidence.• Positive self-talk and images are also important in promoting confidence.• Knowing what to expect (via practice and physical/ mental scenarios) and how to

respond removes uncertainty and promotes confidence.

Confidence building

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Achieving optimal arousal• Arousal is the amount of 'readiness' a person experiences when faced

with a task.• Low arousal (lack of motivation, boredom, tired) is linked to poor

performance.• High arousal(anxiety, over excited, tense) is also linked with poor

performance and this might be caused by:• team conflict• inadequate preparation & training• criticism by others (players, media, etc.).

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Optimal arousal occurs in a 'zone' and arousal must constantly be regulated to accommodate this.

Arousal reduction techniques• Progressive muscle relaxation• alternates between tension and relaxation in various body parts• PMR needs to be practiced 20–30 mins per day• usually tensing and relaxing muscles (5–10 secs) from head to toe• controlled slow breathing should be used in conjunction with PMR.• Meditation important in allowing temporary shut down of cognitive processes.• SleepLack of sleep (sleep debt) increases stress hormones; perceived exertion; feelings of tiredness; moodiness and decreases brain function; HGH activity essential for repair; glucose metabolism.• breathing control• biofeedbackControls automated body functions and after extensive training allows performers to become more 'in-tune' with their bodies and actions.• Stress Inoculation Training (SIT)By training with small and increasing amounts of stress, players build up an 'immunity' to it – they develop coping strategies such as positive self talk and imagery.

© Cengage Learning Australia 2011

Arousal promotion techniquesElevated breathing• taking short, sharp breath activates the central nervous system and increases state of

awareness• rapid breathing and focussing on next actions usually occur together.Acting energeticallyA basic way of 'pumping' players up.Positive self-talk & sounds• using 'powerful' words such as tough, aggressive, strong, forceful, etc., raises arousal• listening to up-beat music can also raise arousal levels.Energising mental imageryInvolves visualising an uplifting image.Pre-competition workoutsAllow players to become accustomed to playing conditions, set plays and pre-game conditioning.

© Cengage Learning Australia 2011

Imagery, mental rehearsal and simulation• athletes perform skills in their minds before actually doing them• imagery leads to better neural pathways between the brain and muscles• imagery should involve as many senses as possible.

Imagery improves performance by:• reinforcing mental templates• taking players through scenarios they’re likely to encounter in

competition• breaking down complex skills into their components and allowing

movements to be 'seen' and 'felt'• allowing goals to be experienced mentally • working in conjunction with other psychological skills. © Cengage Learning Australia 2011

Simulation• achieved by making the physical training environment as similar as possible to

game demands

• simulation and imagery should be used together for maximum effect

• simulation is similar to the principle of specificity.

Visuo-motor behaviour rehearsal (VMBR)Involves three parts :• optimal arousal phase to get performers in the 'zone'

• visualising phase getting players to imagine or 'see' what they’re about to do

• performing the actual skill under game or simulated conditions.

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• occurs when athletes sense a build up of pressure• increased pressure causes attention shifts to become internal and

narrow and focus thus narrows• characterised by impaired timing/co-ordination, fatigue, muscle

tension, negative self-talk, decreased selective attention.

© Cengage Learning Australia 2011

Concentration