BlazeSports Institute for Applied Science

CDSS Level III Curriculum

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Mental Skills Training II

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Objectives

• Discuss development and implementation of a Mental Skills Training program

• Identify and practice methods that can be used to develop specific mental skills within your program

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Implementing a MST Program

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• When- Off-season- Pre-season

• Provides more time to work on mental skills

- 10-15 minutes, 3-5 timers per week- Consistent exposure for 3-6 months

Implementing a MST Program

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• Who- Sport Psychology Consultant- Coach- Administrator

Developing a MST Program

• Three Phases– Education– Acquisition– Practice

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Developing a MST Program

• Education Phase– Importance of MST– How mental skills affect

performance– A few hours to a few hours over a

few days– Increase participant awareness of

the role mental skills play in performance

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Developing a MST Program

• Acquisition Phase– Strategies and techniques for

learning various mental skills– Can be done by team or by

individual– Should be customized to meet

specific needs

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Developing a MST Program

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• Practice Phase– Three Objectives

• Automate skills through over learning• Systematically integrate mental skills

into training and performance situations• Simulate skills that will be applied in

competition

Skills Vs. Methods

• Skills• Qualities to be obtained

• Methods• Procedures or techniques used to

develop skills

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MST Methods

• Arousal Regulation

• Imagery

• Goal Setting

• Attention/Concentration

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Skill Categories

• Foundation- Achievement Drive- Self-Awareness- Productive Thinking- Self-Confidence

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Skill Categories

• Performance- Perceptual-Cognitive Skill- Attentional Focus- Energy Management

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Skill Categories

• Personal Development- Identity Achievement- Interpersonal Competence

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Skill Categories

• Team- Leadership- Communication- Cohesion- Team Confidence

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Skill Development

• Breathing

• Relaxation

• Imagery

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Summary

• Implement a MST program outside of the competitive season

• Utilize different methods to develop specific skills that are needed by the team and/or individuals

• Different methods can be used to develop the same skill

• Developing one skill can aid in the development of other skills

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Resources

Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. (2007). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Williams, J. M. (Ed.). (2006). Applied Sport Psychology: Personal Growth to Peak Performance (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. 

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Questions??

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