Mental Training Skills

The following mental training skills have been proven to assist athletes in developing a higher sense of self-worth, overcome performance anxiety, maintain emotional control, sustain positive thinking, improve ability to focus under pressure, increase self-confidence, and successfully cope with challenging situations in any endeavor they choose.

GOAL SETTING

Goal setting influences athletic performance and is linked to positive changes in psychological states such as anxiety, confidence, and motivation. Goals can serve as a source of energy, raise your self-worth, and help you achieve personal growth. 

FOCUS & CONCENTRATION

It’s completely natural for our minds to wander, even during the most competitive of situations. Agonizing over the past or getting too excited about the future may have a negative impact on performance. Learn to stay focused on the present and direct your attention to the factors within your control.

IMAGERY & VISUALIZATION

Imagery is a mental training skill that requires using all of your senses to create or re-create an experience in your mind. Imagery can be used to help increase self-awareness, facilitate skill acquisition and maintenance, build self-confidence, and regulate arousal.

RELAXATION & STRESS MANAGEMENT

Learn to manage performance anxiety and stress through a series of relaxation techniques. Improve your concentration, learn to distinguish muscle tension from muscle relaxation, keep your mind sharp, develop confidence, and take control of potential stressful situations.

SELF-CONFIDENCE

Confident athletes tend to have a strong desire to achieve success and high expectations of success. Self-confidence results from how you think, what you focus on, and how you react to certain events. Increase your personal efficacy through a variety of confidence-building strategies.

MOTIVATION

Motivation is a combination of personal and situational factors. Athletes rely upon both internal and external motives when participating in sports. Learning to internalize your desire to compete and developing competence in your sport will enhance motivation.

SELF-TALK & POSITIVE THINKING

How we think and feel directly affects our performance. Controlling your thoughts by identifying, and when necessary, changing your self-talk habits can increase confidence, enhance motivation, and improve your mental preparation and athletic performance.

FLOW in SPORT

Flow in sport occurs when you become totally absorbed in the moment. Your mind and body are working together in such a way that everything seems effortless and leaves you feeling that something special has just happened. Learn to achieve flow by controlling your mental state of mind through nine fundamentals of flow.