Resource Information - Mental Fitness

Factors that Affect Performance Player FactorsSituation Factors

Affecting Performance Personal –Ability Skills Fitness –Needs Physical Mental –Motivation –Expectations –Past Experiences Situational –Environment Weather Facility Opposition –Peers –Outcome Win / Loss –Parents –Coaches

Motivation – Over or Under Motivation Performance Poor Optimal Under OptimalOver Player A Player B

SMARTER Objectives When do you set objectives? –Specific –Measurable –Achievable –Realistic –Time Phased –Exciting –Record TASK Set an objective for a game for an under 16 player How SMARTER is it? Take Examples from the Group

How do psychological aspects manifest themselves in a game? Levels of Aggression Determination Motivation Confidence Stress Anxiety Concentration Arousal Sweating

Motivating Players Know the player Set achievable goals Work to a plan Provide positive feedback Relate effort to performance Relate reward to performance Monitor performance Emphasis on quality Generate self awareness

Mental Skills Training - Introduction Mental Imagery and Rehearsal –Think through the situation –Pre plan actions –This can speed up actions in the situation Concentration –Lapses of concentration can give opposition the advantage –Concentration techniques –PTO

Team Motivation Team Environment Conflict Cohesion Individuals Goals Player Attributes Skills, Motivation Attitude, Commitment Player Attributes Skills, Motivation Attitude, Commitment Team / squad Structure, Size and Composition Group Cohesion Team Work High Team Spirit Clear Group Goals Mutual Respect Trust Group Processes Group Product Winning Friendly Reach Goals Individual Product Security Ego Self Esteem Achievement

The 4 C’s Achievement is the Result of 4 Mental Qualities: –COMMITMENT will to win, dedication –CONTROL OF EMOTIONS anxiety, anger, frustration –CONCENTRATION quality of focus or attention –CONFIDENCE positive attitude, self belief in abilities

Strengthening Mental Qualities Commitment –Goal Setting –Refocusing –Positive Thinking Concentration –Imagery –Distraction Training –Developing routines –Task Cards –Breaking down performance into easy to manage tasks –Simulated Competition

Strengthening Mental Qualities Confidence –Positive Self Talk –Imagery –Routines –Goal Setting –Attitude Management –Cognitive Restructuring Control –Relaxation Training –Breathing –Attitude Management –Positive Self Talk –Routines –Simulated Competition Training –What ifs? –Contingency Planning –Mental / Physical Activation Training

Strengthening Mental Qualities Physiology, focus questions, buzz words, metaphors, values, rules, experience references, video imaging, identity, positive reinforcement: ‘ Seeing is believing, but feeling is the truth’ Lifestyle, discipline, music, one to one conversations, positive confrontations, spot and fix, log books, visioning, pictures in action, mental rehearsal, walking model, opposite behaviour, other people, brainstorming, problem solving

Team Building and Goal Setting Team Building: –Work as an Individual, lose as a team Goal Setting: –Performance goals are best –You can only guarantee your performance –Work SMARTER, not harder –Each exercise, each session, each game

Motivation and Emotional Control Motivation –Intrinsic is best –Comes from within –Thrives on attention to detail and sound questions Control –Where the mind goes the body follows –Control your muscles, move your muscle –I think therefore I am

Remember Control the Controllables ‘Ain’t no use worryin’ about things beyond your control, because if things are beyond your control, they ain’t worth worrying about’ ‘Ain’t no use worryin’ about things within your control, because if things are within your control, there ain’t no need to worry’

Confidence Building Attitude Management Spot and fix by praise and challenge Work on strengths Adopt strategies for change Create lasting change –Raise your standards –Change your limiting beliefs –Change your preparation strategy

Concentration Paying attention to the right things at the right time ABC it The NEXT approach Buzz word it

Dealing with Pressure Coping –Breathing –Though Stoppage –I can v I can’t –Expect the Unexpected –Use the Next Approach

Focus For U-14 Squads Nurturing Positive Attitudes/Confidence Building (changing negatives into positives) Goal Setting (smarter goals) Self Analysis (identifying critical success factors) Re-Focusing (managing errors & optimising down-time)

Focus For U-15 Squads Nurturing Positive Attitudes/Confidence Building (changing negatives into positives) Goal Setting (smarter goals) Self Analysis (identifying critical success factors) Re-Focusing (managing errors & optimising down-time) Relaxation (identifying & controlling pre-match anxiety) Mental Rehearsal/Visualisation (see the positive outcome)

Focus For U-16 Squads Nurturing Positive Attitudes/Confidence Building (changing negatives into positives) Goal Setting (smarter goals) Self Analysis (identifying critical success factors) Re-Focusing (managing errors & optimising down-time) Relaxation (identifying & controlling pre-match anxiety) Mental Rehearsal/Visualisation (see the positive outcome) Post-Game Analysis and Evaluation (self- assessment/review goals)

Focus For U-17 Squads Nurturing Positive Attitudes/Confidence Building (changing negatives into positives) Goal Setting (smarter goals) Self Analysis (identifying critical success factors) Re-Focusing (managing errors & optimising down-time) Relaxation (identifying & controlling pre-match anxiety) Mental Rehearsal/Visualisation (see the positive outcome) Post-Game Analysis and Evaluation (self-assessment/review goals) Controlling the Controllables (recognising what can & can’t be changed) Dealing with Pressure Developing Team ship

Questions and Observations Remember ‘Work as an Individual Lose as a Team’