1. Approaches to Developing Emotional Factors

2. Learning Outcome
I can describe, explain and evaluate different approaches to improving my emotional performance.

3. This allows you to control your breathing rate and concentrate.
Deep Breathing
Deep breathing helps people focus and shut out unnecessary distractions.
It is only possible to use this approach during a performance where you can stop, pause and take the deep breaths
This allows you to control your breathing rate and concentrate.

4. Deep Breathing
It is effective if a performer suffers from anxiety, and can be used before the performance begins to settle feelings of nervousness.
You lose three points in a row in a game of tennis. If this happens step off the court and take three deep breaths before commencing play.

5. What are the advantages of deep breathing?
It is an easy technique to understand and use. Therefore, there is a greater chance of it being successful as performers don't get confused.
Performers regroup very quickly after an error. For example in volleyball if a player serves the ball into the net, they will use deep breathing to forgot the error and focus on the next point.
It removes stress related reactions e.g. increased muscular tension. This means that your skills will be performed more fluently and with better timing.
What are the advantages of deep breathing?
It helps to control nerves before a performance, which means a performer will be at the optimum level of arousal. Because of this a performer will not get distracted and they will make the correct decisions.

6. What are the disadvantages of deep breathing?
Some performers may not take it seriously or think it doesn't work. Therefore when it comes to using it in competition they won't fully commit to the process and it will be ineffective.
In a fast paced game such as hockey it can be difficult to carry out because there might not be a break in the play.
What are the disadvantages of deep breathing?
For deep breathing to be effective it must be practised. As it is not seen as being as important as physical practice a performer may not spend enough time on it.

7. Positive Self Talk
This approach helps to manage fear and anger. If you are faced with a stressful situation and have a negative thought about your performance or yourself turn it around and replace that thought with a positive one. This could involve saying key words – “Cue Words”

8. Positive Self Talk – Cue Words
Words like “calm”, “relax” and “easy” are often used to help a performer relax during performance
Performers may use a phrase such as “watch the ball” to remind themselves of what to focus on during performance, or they may simply use a word such as “focus” if they feel themselves losing concentration
Phrases such as “I am a very good shooter” might be used to try and increase confidence in certain situations
Cue words/phrases such as “go for it” and “you can do this” are commonly used by performers in order to get up for a performance.

9. Advantages
It is an easy technique for performers to understand and use. Therefore, there is a greater chance of it being successful and improving emotional performance as performers don't get confused.
It will refocus the athlete when the need arises e.g. a performer is angry after making a mistake, positive self talk can help get things back on track by composing the athlete and getting them to focus on the next point.

10. Disadvantages
Some performers may not take it seriously or think it doesn't work. Therefore when it comes to using it in competition they won't fully commit to the process and it will be ineffective.
It may cause performers to feel awkward and embarrassed therefore when it comes to using it in competition they won't fully commit to the process and it will be ineffective.
In the moment, this approach can be forgotten as the performer is too distracted because they are angry.