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.

SportPsych Consultation Issues in Professional Baseball

1990 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Ravizza
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Training ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Minor League ◽  
Experiential Process ◽  
Baseball Team

This article discusses the development of mental skills training for professional baseball players and coaches. The basic educational model involves providing information, skills practice, and support for the athlete who wants to improve his mental game. The basic philosophy employed is an experiential process that facilitates the athlete’s understanding of mental skills training. Over time, skills are refined and adapted to meet the athlete’s unique needs. The practicing sportpsych consultant must follow a number of operating standards to ensure the trust and respect of both players and management. The most difficult step is getting the commitment from a professional team. This article discusses an approach to making contact, guidelines followed for developing a mental training program for a professional baseball team, and some technical aspects to consider in developing a mental training program. It focuses on the range of services provided to players and coaches in group formats and on an individual basis, both at the major league and minor league levels. Finally, there is a discussion of problems inherent in working with players, coaches, and management and how to cope with them.

Enhancing Coaching Effectiveness in Figure Skating through a Mental Skills Training Program

1989 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig R. Hall ◽  
Wendy M. Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Figure Skating ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Training ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Psychological Techniques ◽  
Training Techniques ◽  
Work Shop ◽  
Coaching Effectiveness

Research on various psychological techniques indicates that their use by athletes, particularly in combination with one another, can produce enhanced performance. An extension of this finding would seem to be that coaches should be able to incorporate combinations of various mental training techniques in their teaching to improve their coaching effectiveness. A work-shop was developed and conducted for figure skating coaches on the use of various psychological techniques with their skaters. Prior to and following the workshop, the coaches were asked about their use of the psychological techniques. While most coaches were familiar with the techniques before participating in the workshop, they evaluated the workshop as being informative and felt it helped them to more effectively use the techniques. The more qualified and experienced coaches generally were the most positive toward the workshop and the various mental training techniques covered. The skaters they coached reported improvements in their lessons following the coaches’ participation in the workshop.

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.

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.

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.

Mental Training with Children for Sport and Life

1991 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Orlick ◽  
Nadeane McCaffrey
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Elementary School Students ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Training ◽  
School Students ◽  
Mental Skills Training

In recent years we have applied mental skills training for child athletes, kindergarten and elementary school students, and children attempting to overcome serious illnesses. Key elements that have been associated with our most successful interventions include the use of simple, concrete strategies, an element of fun, positive individualized approaches, the use of role models, and involving parents. It is our belief that every child will experience growth, and some degree of success, if someone who cares devotes time to nurturing important mental skills related to personal development.

Mental Skills Training to Improve Soldier Performance: Development and Implementation

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernie Holliday ◽  
Louis Csoka ◽  
Coreen Harada ◽  
Jon Hammermeister ◽  
Michael A. Pickering ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Mental Skills Training ◽  
Performance Development
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document