Approaches Workbook Circle Breathing – Teacher Answers

1) Why is circle breathing effective in helping an athlete to perform to their maximum level of performance? Removal of stress related reactions e.g. muscular tension. Establishing a physical and mental state which has an increased receptivity to positive mental imagery. Establishing an appropriate level of physical and mental arousal prior to competition. Removes self-doubt, anxiety etc and increases concentration and performance. Reduce arousal level when self-control could be lost. Clears the mind of mistakes and allows appropriate decisions to be made.

2) Why might circle breathing be useful for an athlete in the lead up to a very important performance or immediately after performing? In the lead up to an event an athlete might be anxious about their performance. This could prevent them preparing properly for the event (perhaps affecting sleep). Using circle breathing will help to reduce this anxiety and help the performer to relax and be calm. Circle breathing could be used after a performance to try and lower level of arousal by bringing the athlete into a calmer state. This will help the performer rest, recover and recuperate after the performance.

3) Circle breathing is a very easy approach to use in order to achieve a more relaxed state. What about circle breathing makes it easy for almost any athlete to use? No equipment required Very simple instructions to follow – really doesn’t require an expertise Doesn’t take much time

4) Circle breathing will only be effective when required if it is practiced regularly. Why do you think some athletes who try to use deep breathing during a performance but are not successful don’t practice it regularly? Some athletes may feel that the technique is so simple that they do not need to practice using it. Therefore when they try to use the technique in a very stressful situation the response to the deep breathing has not been trained and as a result it may not be effective. Athletes might not fully buy in to the technique and how it can improve their performance. As a result they may not take the time to practice use of the technique. Athlete who are not confident may feel silly or awkward using this technique in the practice environment.

5) Although circle breathing is a quick way to achieve relaxation what might prevent an athlete from using this approach during a performance? In the heat of the moment athletes might not remember to use this technique – this is particularly likely to be the case if they have not practice using this approach and therefore don’t use it as a matter of habit to deal with stressful situations. In some situations athlete might not have the time to use circle breathing. This is particularly the case when skills are performed where there is not a break in play.

6) It is important that an athlete is aware of their level of arousal. In what situation might it doing relaxation exercises such as circle breathing be detrimental to performance? If we asked an under-excited athlete to use relaxation procedures it would only make it harder for him/her to "get-up" for the competition. The coach therefore has to know his/her athletes and how they react in competitive situations.

7) There are many situations where circle breathing can be used to ensure that an athlete maintains optimum performance level, making it a very versatile and useful tool for an athlete to posses. Identify at least 2 situations where circle breathing may be useful. Before reacting to a bad decision by a referee Before performing a skill where there is a delay before hand in a particularly important moment e.g a putt to win a competition or a serve at match point down.