Chapter 12 - Psychological Skills Training Flashcards
What is psychological skills training and who is it beneficial for?
PST refers to the systematic and consistent practice of mental or psychological skills for the purpose of
enhancing performance
increasing enjoyment
or achieving greater self-satisfaction
What is the purpose of psychological skills training?
enhancing performance
increasing enjoyment
or achieving greater self-satisfaction
Why is psychological skills training important?
It helps athletes develop mental skills to enhance their performance, increase enjoyment in their activity and achieve greater self satisfaction by managing anxiety, regulating emotions, concentrating effectively and utilising visualisation techniques, allowing them to perform at their peak potential, even under pressure
What are some examples of how psychological skills training can improve performance?
It would help when you are under pressure in competition/about to choke
It would help if you are depressed due to you not recovering from an injury quick enough
It would help if your mind ever wandered during a competition
It would help if you lacked the desire or motivation to exercise
Why do people not utilize psychological skills training? (by coaches, athletes, clients)
Lack of time
Misunderstandings about psychological skills (e.g. belief that they cant be learned)
Lack of knowledge and comfort with teaching mental skills
What are the phases of psychological skills training?
Education - importance of mental side of performance is learned
Acquisition - strategies are learned to develop mental skills. Tailor training programs to meet individual needs. Psychological skills should be learned and practiced.
Practice - strategies are put into practice in actual competitions. Log books help athletes chart progress and provide feedback
What is the ultimate goal of PST
After PST, an athlete should be able to monitor and self-regulate their own emotional state.
What is self regulation
Self-regulation is the ability to work toward one’s short-
and long-term goals by effectively monitoring and
managing one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
What is mental toughness?
Athletes ability to
focus
rebound from failure
cope with pressure
persist in the face of adversity
How do you increase mental toughness?
Set realistic goals
Forgive
Learn from failures
Step outside comfort zone
What is the negative side of mental toughness?
Although mental toughness is perceived as desirable or a positive quality, some evidence suggests that it can lead to injury and overtraining
Mentally tough athletes may also avoid seeking mental health counselling
How does mental toughness play a role in performance?
Allows individuals to
Persevere through challenges
Maintain focus under pressure
Bounce back from setbacks
