Lecture 21: Intro to Mental Skills Training (MST)

Question 1

What does a Clinical Sport Psych Consultant focus on?

Answer 1

focus on assisting athlete’s with “severe” or “abnormal” mental health issues
e.g. anorexia/bulimia, depression/anxiety

Question 2

What are the Two Types of Applied Sport Psychology?

Answer 2

Clinical and Educational

Question 3

What does an Educational Sport Psych Consultant focus on?

Answer 3

focus on “teaching” practical psych skills to “normal” athletes (also coaches)
- ‘normal’ people performing in ‘abnormal’ situations, therefore requires “super”-normal skill (physical & psych)

Question 4

What type of Sport Psych Consultant would teach MST?

Answer 4

Educational

Question 5

What are the 3 objectives of Mental Skills Training (MST)?

Answer 5

1. Help Athletes PERFORM to the best of their Ability
2. Help Athletes ENJOY sport
3. Develop Psych Skills as LIFE Skills

Question 6

How does MST help athletes perform at their best?

Answer 6

performance enhancement (IPS & ‘Flow’)

Question 7

How does MST help athletes enjoy sport?

Answer 7

increase performance, decrease stress, more fun

Question 8

How does MST teach life skills?

Answer 8

• stress management, coping skills, commitment
• motivation, goal setting
• attention-concentration, focus
• personal growth & development

Question 9

In competition what percentage of your performance is dependent upon psych factors?

Answer 9

Elite athletes say about 90%, other athletes say about 50%

Question 10

How many hours a week do athletes spend on physical training (fitness, strength, skills)?

Answer 10

Many elite athletes report devoting a minimum of 20 hours a week (approx. 2-3 hours per day) to physical training

Question 11

How could an athlete and a car racer be compared?

Answer 11

All the physical training is like building the car
MST is like putting the driver in the car

Question 12

Why are mental skills neglected?

Answer 12

1. Lack of knowledge of MST
2. Psych skills are viewed as unchangeable
3. Lack of time for MST
4. Myths about MST

Question 13

What are common myths about MST?

Answer 13

(i) MST is only for ‘problem’ athletes
(ii) MST is only for ‘elite’ athletes
(iii) MST is a ‘quick fix’
(iv) MST isn’t useful or ‘real science’

Question 14

What are MST Skills?

Answer 14

qualities, abilities, attributes that need to be developed (e.g., attention-concentration)
- PRODUCT

Question 15

What are MST Methods?

Answer 15

procedures or techniques used to teach, learn and develop the skills needed to perform well (e.g., imagery, self talk)
- PROCESS

Question 16

What are the 3 categories of MST Skills?

Answer 16

1. Foundation MST Skills
2. Performance MST Skills
3. Facilitative MST Skills

Question 17

What are Foundation MST skills?

Answer 17

“The base/foundation of the house that everything else is built on”
e.g. Self-confidence, Motivation

Question 18

What are Performance MST skills?

Answer 18

“The body of the house”
- Optimal Physical Arousal (activation)
- Optimal Mental Arousal (activation)
- Optimal Attention/Concentration

Question 19

What are Facilitative MST Skills?

Answer 19

The roof - “Keep the lid/roof on”
e.g., Interpersonal Skills (e.g., communication skills); Team-Building – team cohesion

Question 20

What are the 2 types of MST methods?

Answer 20

1. Foundation Methods
2. MST Methods

Question 21

What are Foundation Methods?

Answer 21

Technical, Tactical, Physical skills e.g., Peak Performance Profile

Question 22

What are MST Methods?

Answer 22

Mental Prep, Relaxation (centering), Imagery, Goal Setting…

Question 23

What is a MST programme?

Answer 23

individually designed “combination” of methods selected to attain the individual’s skill needs.
- there is NO “set” MST programme!

Question 24

What are the three things to consider when assessing mental skills needs?

Answer 24

1. The sport
2. The team (or squad)
3. The individual

Question 25

What parts of the sport need to be considered for mental skills needs?

Answer 25

• physical intensity, duration
• team vs individual
• basic physical/technical skills

Question 26

What parts of the team/squad need to be considered for mental skills needs?

Answer 26

• team dynamics, cohesion
• coach, manager/admin
• leaders/captains
• coactive or interactive

Question 27

What parts of the individual need to be considered for mental skills needs?

Answer 27

• Assess psych skill needs
• Observation, interviews/discussion
• Peak Performance Profile