Simple Mental Skills

Mark Ward
WSTFCA
markrwardxi@gmail.com
 Mentors – Mental Skills
• Phil Pugh
• John Amidon
• Geoff Ramsey
• Mick Ryan
• Brian Hoddle
• Tony Wells
• Tony Veney
• Dr. Robert McGowan
 Outline
• Evaluations
• Focus
• Breathing/Relaxation
• Imagery
• Event Plan
• Scouting Reports
 Evaluations
• Self/Program
– What is your history with mental skills?
– What are your attitudes?
– How do you deal with stress?
– How do your athletes deal with stress?
– Do you currently teach any mental skills?
 Focus
• Candle Stick
• Focus on flame, without blinking, 1 min.
– Lee Evans
• Mazes
• Paddle Ball
 Breathing/Relaxation
• The longer a person coaches the greater
chance he has of having an athlete “win the
warm-up and lose the competition.”
 Breathing
1. Deep Breathing
2. Rhythmic Breathing
3. Concentration Breathing
(Williams & Harris, 2001).
 Breathing
● Deep Breathing
○ Long Full Breaths
○ Split Lungs into 3rds
○ Bottom up
○ Slows heart rate
○ Enhances focus
 Breathing
● Rhythmic Breathing
○ In for a 5-count
○ Hold for a 5-count
○ Out for a 5-count
○ Hold for a 5-count
○ Add in imagery
 Breathing
● Concentration Breathing
○ Deep Breathing
○ Clear Mind
○ As distractions enter the mind, blow them out.
 Relaxation
1. Progressive Relaxation
2. Relaxation Response
Progressive Relaxation
Relaxation Response
 Imagery
• Imagery Questionnaire
• See It
– Your Experience vs.
– Watching a movie
• Smell It
• Hear It
• Feel It
Imagery
 Event Plan
• Individual
• Coach & Athlete
• Scripted
• “Hurdles”
Event Plan
Event Plan
 Scouting Reports
• Athletic.net
• Google Earth
• Personal Narrative (in writing)
Additional Resources
Additional Resources