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Mental Skills Training Methods Techniques
Mental Skills Training Methods Techniques
Mental skills are not only a crucial aspect of performance, but also very specific to each individual and the competitive situation in which they must perform.
There are several methods and techniques which can be used by Individuals to enhance their mental skills and improve their performance In All the Aspects of Life.
MENTAL SKILLS - TRAINING METHODS & TECHNIQUES
1. IMAGERY
The process of using the senses to create pictures of your performance in your mind.
Imagery should involve as many of your senses as possible kinaesthetic, visual, auditory & tactile.
Power Of Imagination
Imagery & Performance
Imagery can enhance performance by: - Improving neural pathways b/w brain & Senses Focussing attention on task. - Enabling Students to prepare for situations they are likely to encounter during Trouble Times. - Enabling them to review their performance - Managing stress through imagining a relaxing environment - Enabling mental practice to recover from anger and Anxiety.
MENTAL SKILLS - TRAINING METHODS & TECHNIQUES
Types of Imagery
INTERNAL
Imagining the execution of a skill from w/in your own body. For eg if serving a volleyball you would see only the things in your normal range of vision
EXTERNAL
Viewing yourself from the perspective of an external observer, as if watching yourself on video replay.
Effective Imagery
To be effective the following must be considered: You must have vivid image of the skill or situation in mind Imagine the entire performance associated with the skill You should be in a relaxed state when using imagery The image you create must show the desired outcome of the performance eg serving an ace, perfect dive, scoring the goal
2. RELAXATION
Effective for athletes who experience high levels of anxiety and tension to the detriment of their performance.
There are 3 methods of relaxation:
2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) Involves a series of exercises that lead to the progressive relaxation of muscle groups and eventually total body relaxation Tense one muscle gp at a time for 10 secs, followed by release of tension Assists in achieving state of mental calmness
MENTAL SKILLS - TRAINING METHODS & TECHNIQUES
3. Meditation
A form of relaxation based on selective attention focusing on certain cues & blocking out others. You focus on a single thought, sound or object relaxation response of the body. Widely used as a method of controlling pre-exam anxiety and focussing attention prior to exam or Interview.
4.
SELF-TALK- Self-hypnosis
Self-talk is about talking/thinking to yourself. There are 2 types: Positive self-talk: can be motivational (eg I can do this) or instructional to remind you about a technique or tactic (eg bend your knees) Negative self-talk: is self-critical or demeaning (eg my backhands useless), or recalls past failures (eg Ive missed my last 2 shots), or is pessimistic about the situation (eg Ill never get into the top team) Used to block out ve thoughts & replace them with +ve ones
MENTAL SKILLS - TRAINING METHODS & TECHNIQUES
5. GOAL SETTING
Goal setting improves performance by focusing the students attention, increasing their effort and persistence and motivating them to learn new techniques and skills.
3 basic types of goals: Outcome goals focus on outcomes of performance/competition eg. To win the game, finish on top of the ladder etc Performance goals specify a result of the performance . Process goals focus on specific behaviours demonstrated throughout the performance eg keeping head down while executing golf drive
Goals should be set according to the ability, confidence & motivation of the performer. 2 acronyms have been developed to guide goal setting.
SMARTER
Specific Measurable Action-orientated Realistic Timely Effective Reviewed
SCCAMP
Specific Controllable Challenging Attainable Measurable Personal
Time Management
Time must be explicitly managed, just like money Hear me Now, Believe me.
Being successful doesnt make you manage your time well. Managing your time well makes you successful.
Five Proven Factors Essential to be Taken Care If any one craving for the success and Satisfaction, Mental & Physical.
Kill your television (how badly do you want tenure or your degree?) Turn money into time especially important for people with other family commitments Eat and sleep and exercise. Above all else!