Approaches to develop mental factors

Mental Rehearsal Mental rehearsal, or visualisation, is the process of creating a mental image or intention of what you want to happen or feel, and plays an ever increasing part in sports psychology. When you visualize yourself playing any sport, you activate the same nerves used in actually playing the sport. Activating these nerves actually strengthens the connections and improves the skill, just like real practice.

Factor – Anxiety, Concentration, Focus, Motivation etc Approach – mental rehearsal ‘Mental rehearsal creates an image in the mind . You feel yourself performing the skill successfully’ Boosts confidence by rehearsing previous good performances ie reducing negative thoughts

Mental rehearsal controls the athlete’s response by mentally practising relevant cues and importantly eliminates all distractions before the competition It helps you control your breathing and eliminates muscular tension Mental rehearsal motivates the athlete by recalling images of scoring a goal or beating a competitor

Mental rehearsal sets the scene with a complete mental picture of their performance - the athlete is then totally focused on the task and has no time for anxious thoughts or negative self talk before the event starts

Mental Rehersal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw5C7A elwZ8 The Pele Way!

Disadvantages to Mental Rehearsal If do not ‘buy into’ the concept early enough then can be counter productive. In other words instead of focussing attention it can distract you and affect focus and motivation. Have to be wary as should be a first person perspective as opposed to third person image. Ensures more effective experience and emotions.

Other Approaches Self Talk Goal/Target Setting Can relate to Anxiety Can relate to refocusing concentration Goal/Target Setting Mainly used for Monitoring Training but can be used for improving Focus, Concentration and Motivation. Focusses attention on improving particular weaknesses

Question Explain 1 approach you could use to improve a negative mental factor -Describe the methods -Benefits of using this method x2 -Negatives of using this method x1 -What is the impact on your performance