Starter quiz
- What is the primary goal of mental preparation in sport?
- to improve physical fitness
- to develop strategies for coping with stress and pressure ✓
- to increase muscle mass
- to make exercise more exciting
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- Which of these skills are performed in a way that allows you to take your time and mentally prepare immediately before performing them?
- golf shot ✓
- dribbling in basketball
- high jump
- tackling in rugby
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- If you can block out distractions from things such as the crowd, it will help you to ______ on the performance.
- 'focus' ✓
- What does the term 'mental' refer to in sports psychology?
- physical and emotional processes
- emotional and cognitive processes ✓
- anatomical and cognitive processes
- physical and anatomical processes
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- What is a word meaning practice or repetition of a performance to prepare for the actual event?
- 'rehearsal' ✓
- Which of the mental preparation techniques matches with the statement?
- goal setting⇔setting specific, measurable, and achievable targets to focus on ✓
- mental rehearsal⇔imagining yourself performing well in the event ✓
- relaxation techniques⇔using relaxation exercises to reduce anxiety and tension ✓
- positive thinking⇔repeating positive thoughts to boost confidence and focus ✓
Exit quiz
- Match the keyword to its definition.
- mental rehearsal⇔technique which involves the performer picturing themselves performing ✓
- imagery⇔performer imagines themselves in a relaxing or happy place ✓
- selective attention⇔focussing on the important stimuli and blocking out others ✓
- positive thinking⇔developing cognitive positive thoughts about your own performance ✓
- Which of these are stimuli a boxer should focus on during a fight?
- the referee's feedback ✓
- the noise from the crowd
- the movements of the opposition ✓
- the lighting above the ring
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- Positive thinking will help to boost a performer's...
- 'confidence' ✓
- Which of these is not a benefit of mental rehearsal?
- familiarisation with the skill
- increased confidence
- increased concentration
- blocking out distractions
- reducing focus ✓
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- A formula one driver picturing the start of the race in their head, over and over before it happens, is an example of which mental preparation technique?
- mental rehearsal ✓
- imagery
- selective attention
- positive thinking
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- Which technique involves visualising yourself in a happy or relaxing place?
- 'imagery' ✓
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Mental preparation techniques help performers improve their performance by beneficially managing their emotions.
- Mental rehearsal involves imagining a successful performance to improve confidence and focus.
- Imagery can be used to imagine being in a happy place and can help lower anxiety levels.
- Selective attention is used to focus on only the important stimuli and block out distractions.
- Performers can use positive thinking to increase confidence.
Common misconception
Mental preparation is just for elite athletes.
Students should understand that everyone can benefit from mental preparation techniques and that performers in many fields of work practice them. They too could benefit in their own pursuits.
Keywords
Mental rehearsal - relaxation technique which involves the performer picturing themselves performing the skill perfectly or imagining positive outcomes before attempting it
Imagery - a relaxation technique to control mental thoughts which involves the performer imagining themselves in a relaxing or happy place
Selective attention - focussing on the important stimuli and blocking out any which might be distracting
Positive thinking - developing cognitive positive thoughts about your own performance
Mental preparation - the rehearsal of a physical skill that takes place within the mind of the performer without any actual physical movement