Sport Pyschology

• Mental skill


  A skill that helps improve performance and achieve the ideal performance state
• 5 mental skills (SMACS)

  • Self-confidence
  • Motivation
  • Arousal
  • Concentration
  • Stress-management
• 5 mental skill strategies (GRIPS)


  • Goal setting
  • Relaxation
  • Imagery
  • Performance routines
  • Self-talk
• Stress management


  Stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the demands of the task and the ability level of the performer to respond in a situation where failure has consequences
• Concentration


  The ability to focus on a task at hand whilst ignoring irrelevant cues or distraction
• Motivation


  The direction and intensity of effort by a performer towards a given task
• Self-confidence


  The belief that a performer has in their own ability to successfully perform a desired skill or behaviour
• Goal setting


  The process of deciding on something you want to achieve planning the steps to follow that will help reach the goal, and then working towards achieving the goals
• Relaxation


  An activity undertaken to reduce tension and the effects of physical and mental stress
• Imagery


  The mental recreation, using as many senses as possible of a successful past performance or skill
• Performance routines


  A ritual a performer follows in the preparation for the execution of a task or skill
• Self-talk


  Talking to/thinking to yourself positively before, during or after performance
• Positive self talk (BCF MR)

  • Building self confidence
  • Changing bad habits
  • Focusing attention
  • Motivating the performer
  • Reinforcing skill learning