Mental Training:Mental Training:

SELF -TALKSELF -TALK

Unit IV - Sports PsychologyUnit IV - Sports PsychologySports Performance 15Sports Performance 15

Noreen Baker BPE, BED. W. P. Wagner High School 2006Noreen Baker BPE, BED. W. P. Wagner High School 2006

SELF- TALK

Self Talk

Being aware of your _____ _____ or the way you talk to yourself.

What we think is very important.

SELF- TALK

Self-talk can improve mental states and improve focus, concentration and boost self confidence.

A big way of getting ‘____ ____’ for an event lies in the self-talk that goes through one’s mind.

SELF- TALK Excessive negative self-talk

can affect your performance and diminish your self image.

Negative and discouraging self – talk often occurs when ___________ _________ ___________.

“My opponents are much more talented than I am”

SELF- TALK Athletes need to control this ______

______ in a positive way.

Change negative thoughts ____ _______ ones.

Positive self-talk will help performance if the athlete believes it is true.

SELF- TALKSelf-Talk will:

Influence your self image or self- belief.

Assist athlete with competitive _______ Change thoughts, feelings and

actions. Help deal with pain, discomfort,

sickness or injury.

SELF- TALK

Uses of Self-Talk:

Purpose Directed at: Cue Words

Getting ready for performance

Optimal level of arousal

Peak! Be Ready!

Controlling Effort

Igniting or adjusting energy

Accelerate! Go now!

SELF- TALK________________

Optimal level of arousal. Decreasing anxiety

“You can handle it”“Stay calm”

Improving attention

Keeping focus on the present

“Be here now”

_______ ____________

Tolerating pain during training or competition.

“Hang on” “Stick with it”

SELF- TALK

Building Self – Confidence

Enhancing, maintaining, reinforcing self-confidence.

“I deserve to be here.”“I’m on fire, get out of my way.

SELF- TALKTechniques to improve self-talk: Awareness

Be aware of your self-talk. ___________

Monitor self-talk. Write down self-talk statements that you can remember during performance.

SELF- TALKThought Stopping

Stop negative thoughts before they become harmful.

Briefly concentrate on the mistake you made.

Use cue word, sound or action to stop the thought and clear the mind.

Replace negative thought with a positive thought.

SELF- TALK_________ Change negative thought into a

positive statement."I’ve never been able to beat this person before in a race," "I know I am capable of beating this person. All I have to do is take it one mile at a time. I have worked hard, and I am well prepared for this competition."

SELF- TALKNegative Thoughts or Statements

Positive Thoughts or Statements

I don’t deserve to be here.

I belong here and I am good enough.

I don’t want to let the coach down.

I believe in myself and the coach believes in me.

I am too slow. I am fit, fast and strong.

SELF- TALKPositive Affirmations A clear statement of what the

athlete needs or wants to do.Instead of saying, "I will be strong and fast," say, "I am strong and fast."

Best applied when training conditions are tough or athlete is experiencing a severe problem.

SELF- TALKAffirmations need to be:

Written down. Stated in the positive. Brief, but precise. Stated in the present. Directed at self change. Possible.

“I can do it!”

SELF- TALKIdeal performance

states:

Your ability to get yourself ready to train or play the game so that you can perform with ________ ______ __________.

SELF- TALKIdeal Emotional States: Your ability to use your emotions or

the feelings you have about playing the game to your advantage and to the opposing teams disadvantage.

________ _______ drive

the mental game.