The Creation of a Mental Skills Training Program in Elite Youth Tennis: A Coach-Driven Approach to Developing Resilient, Confident Competitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-81
Author(s):  
E. Earlynn Lauer ◽  
Mark Lerman ◽  
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek ◽  
Larry Lauer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Training Program ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
Strength And Conditioning Coach

In this paper, we describe the development and content of a mental skills training (MST) program and how a strength and conditioning coach/certified mental coach delivered this program within a United States Tennis Association (USTA) Player Development (PD) program. The purpose of the MST program was to create resilient, confident youth tennis competitors. Specific mental strategies (i.e., journaling, routines, breathing, imagery, self-talk) were identified to best meet the objectives of the MST program and were delivered using a three-pronged approach: (a) classroom lessons, (b) strength and conditioning sessions and on-court lessons, and (c) homework assignments. Specific ways that the USTA PD coaches reinforced the use of these strategies during tennis practice are described. Recommendations for coaches to integrate an MST program in high-performance youth sport environments are also provided.

The Effects of a Mental Skills Training Package on Equestrians

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marsha L. Blakeslee ◽  
Dennis M. Goff
Keyword(s):  
Goal Orientation ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Training Package ◽  
Performance Change ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Show Jumping ◽  
Rule Out

The present study examined the effectiveness of a mental skills training (MST) package employing relaxation, imagery, goal setting, and self-talk (strategies for improving performance and perceptions through cognitive-somatic techniques) on equestrian performance. A stratified random sample of 17 competitive collegiate horseback riders participated in this study: 8 received MST and 9 were controls. Riders’ goal orientation was also assessed and used to determine if there might be a relationship with performance change over time. Assessment of participants via performance in 2 horse shows revealed no interaction effect for group by time in either flat or show-jumping performance, but there was a significant main effect of time for performance improvement. Riders demonstrated a dominant mastery-approach goal orientation as hypothesized, but no significant correlations with performance change emerged. Findings do not rule out MST as a possible performance enhancing technique, but more research is needed to assess nomothetic MST package effects.

Personal and Situational Influences on Adherence to Mental Skills Training

1991 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Bull
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Training ◽  
Adherence Behavior ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Situational Influences ◽  
Situational Variables

Adherence to mental-skills training has received little empirical investigation despite the recent growth and development in applied sport psychology services. The present study was designed to identity personal and situational variables influencing adherence to a mental training program. Volunteer athletes (N=34) were given a 4-week educational program before being left to train on their own for an experimental period of 8 weeks. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment intervention conditions (control, written reminders, and group meetings) designed to influence adherence behavior. Results demonstrated the influence of self-motivation in predicting mental-training adherence, but the interventions had no significant effect. Adherence levels were generally low but variable between athletes. Interviews with the athletes indicated the need for individualization of training programs, and problems of time constraints were identified as being influential in the adherence process. Comparable athletes (N—18) who chose not to volunteer for the mental training program were psychometrically tested and demonstrated lower sport motivation than the volunteer athletes but greater skill in concentration.

A Mental Skills Training Program for the Western Australian State Cricket Team

1990 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Educational Philosophy ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Working Relationship ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Mental Skill ◽  
Australian State ◽  
Western Australian

This article describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of a mental skills training program for a professional cricket team. Formally initiated in 1987, the educational philosophy and style of operation of this program has evolved to accommodate three other younger representative teams—students from a local cricket academy—in addition to the unique requirements of senior professionals in the state team. A mental skills workbook represents a key resource to the professional team in a service that remains strictly optional. A model of elite cricketer development is presented, and six key mental skill areas are described together with four groups of recurring problems. Good one-on-one skills, a flexible nonacademic style, and good observational abilities have helped to facilitate effective consulting. In addition, regular evaluation by athletes and an excellent working relationship with an enlightened coach has been critical to both program design and implementation.

Developing Competitive Endurance Performance Using Mental Skills Training

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C. Thelwell ◽  
Iain A. Greenlees
Keyword(s):  
Endurance Performance ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Intervention Package ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Training Package ◽  
Mental Skill ◽  
Self Talk

The present study examined the effects of a mental skills training package on competitive gymnasium triathlon performance and evaluated the utilization and impacts of the mental skills during performance. Four participants competed against each other on ten occasions in a single-subject multiple baseline across individuals design, which was used to evaluate an intervention package including goal setting, relaxation, imagery, and self-talk. The results indicated the mental skills package to be effective in enhancing all participants’ competitive triathlon performance and usage of mental skills from baseline to intervention phases. Qualitative data revealed that each of the mental skills were employed both prior to and during each triathlon and had varying impacts depending on when they were utilized. Issues regarding mental skill effectiveness and usage within competitive endurance performance are discussed.

scholarly journals Ansiedade pré-competitiva em atletas das categorias de base: relato de experiência em campeonato brasileiro de judô

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-81
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Puquevis De Souza ◽  
Cristina Costa Lobo ◽  
Carlos Leonardo dos Anjos ◽  
Luiz Felipe Mikulis Passareli
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Factors ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Sports Psychology ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Anxiety Reduction ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Competitive Anxiety

Introdução: A ansiedade pré-competitiva constitui-se um dos temas mais estudados dentre os fatores psicológicos, para o desempenho em competições de alto rendimento. Quando se trata de categorias de base esta pressão pode ser maior, considerando a estrutura psíquica e a idade destes pequenos atletas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste relato é discutir teoricamente sobre os conceitos de estresse e ansiedade pré-competitiva, descrevendo uma experiência de aquisição de técnicas e comportamentos dos participantes por meio de um treinamento de habilidades mentais no dia da competição. Métodos: Este estudo foi realizado a partir das observações de quatro atletas entre 11 e 13 anos no Campeonato Brasileiro de Judô em 2018, após um período de sete meses de treinamentos de habilidades mentais, realizadas em um projeto de intervenção em Psicologia do Esporte. Resultados: Por meio de relatos e observações forma observados o uso de estratégias e técnicas para redução de ansiedade, utilizadas pelos quatro atletas participantes do projeto. Conclusão: Os resultados demonstraram que os fatores situacionais como sensações corporais somáticas e pensamentos disfuncionais, denotaram os principais modos como à ansiedade foi vivenciada por estas crianças. As técnicas aprendidas no treinamento mental vivenciado pelos atletas, foram aplicadas na competição e tiveram impacto positivo no controle das ansiedades cognitiva e somática. ABSTRACT. Pre-competitive anxiety in athletes of the judo base categories: experience report of brazilian judo championship. Background: Pre-competitive anxiety is one of the most studied themes among psychological factors for performance in high performance competitions. When it comes to grassroots categories this pressure can be higher considering the psychic structure and age of these little athletes. Objective: The objective of this report is to discuss theoretically the concepts of pre-competitive stress and anxiety, describing an experience of acquiring participants’ techniques and behaviors through a training of mental skills on the day of competition. Methods: This study was conducted from the observations of four athletes between 11 and 13 years old at the Brazilian Judo Championship in 2018, after a seven-month period of mental skills training, performed in an intervention project in Sports Psychology. Results: Through reports and observations, it was observed the use of strategies and techniques for anxiety reduction, used by the four athletes participating in the project. Conclusion: The results showed that situational factors such as somatic body sensations and dysfunctional thoughts, denoted the main ways anxiety was experienced by these children. The techniques learned in the mental training experienced by the athletes were applied in competition and had a positive impact on the control of cognitive and somatic anxieties.

Effects of an Individualized Mental-Skills-Training Program on Golf Performance: A Single-Subject Research Design

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Ashbrook ◽  
Andrew Gillham ◽  
Douglas Barba
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Research Design ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Division I ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Single Subject Research

Using a single-subject research design, a 1-to-1 tailored mental-skills-training (MST) program was created, implemented, and evaluated. During the 20-wk intervention phase, 6 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college golfers received a series of individually tailored MST sessions aimed at enhancing their mental skills and athletic performance. Each athlete’s golf performance, mental-skill frequency, and response to service were evaluated using visual inspection. Despite some limitations, results suggested that the 1-to-1 training program was effective, with nearly 50% of the performance and perception metrics improving from baseline and almost 80% of the mental skills improving. Follow-up analyses indicated that the program continued to positively affect performance into the next competitive season.

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