Mental prep for performance

• arousal - physical and mental state of alertness or readiness
• optimum arousal - the point at which the best performance occurs
• Inverted u theory states - as arousal increases so does performance up to a certain point
• what happens if arousal continues to increase past optimum

  Performance will drop and lead to becoming over anxious or panic
• Fine movement skills need what levels of arousal

  Lower levels of arousal because concentration and precise movement is required
• What level of arousal does gross movement skills need

  Require high levels of arousal because large muscle movements are required
• Beginners need lower levels of arousal
• An expert needs higher levels of arousal
• Stress management techniques can be used before or during performance to help control anxiety levels
• Visualisation/Imagery

  • visualise yourself playing well with successful outcome
  • visualise yourself in comfortable ,stress free environment
  • focus on positive images to help reduce overall arousal
• Mental rehearsal

  • used my elite performers
  • mentally practising a skill or movement before doing it
  • helps clarify skills they are about to perform so they are confident
• Deep breathing

  • When you become over aroused your breathing becomes shallower
  • Deep breathing can be used before activity
  • concentrating on long deep breaths help focus on breathing technique rather than cause of anxiousness
• Positive self talk - helps develop more positive feelings about own performance
• Aggression

  • used to deliberately cause harm or injure another person
  • can be physical or mental provided the intent is to harm
  • Can be either direct or indirect aggression
• Direct aggression

  aggressive act that involves physical contact with others to cause physical harm and gain an advantage
• Indirect aggression

  Aggressive act that does not involve physical contact and intended harm is mental
• Examples of indirect aggression

  • a nasty remark