Mental preparation

• Being mentally prepared


  Being able to get in the 'zone'
• Benefits of being mentally prepared


  • Stay focused, confident and motivated
  • Keep control of emotions
  • Cope with stress
  • Perform at your best
• Techniques to help mentally prepare


  • Imagery
  • Positive thinking
  • Selective attention
  • Mental rehearsal
• Imagery


  1. Imagine doing something relaxing

  2. Imagine success to increase confidence

  3. Improve concentration by blocking out distractions
• Positive thinking


  1. Tell yourself positive things that will motivate you

  2. Reassure yourself that you can perform well
• Selective attention


  1. Focus on important things that will help you perform well

  2. Ignore things that aren't important
• Mental rehearsal


  1. Imagine the feeling in the muscles when perfectly performing a skill

  2. Mentally rehearse the skills needed
• Practising your skills during a warm-up can also help you mentally prepare
• Being mentally prepared can really help your performance
• There are some handy techniques to help you on your way to being mentally ready for sport