Self-talk is the process of which an individual may guide him/herself to accomplish a goal. Whether or not the goals are specific or broad, all goals are important to keep in realistic, attainable, measurable and specific. So why are goals important? In recent years, goal setting has shown to been one of the key components […]
The focus of attention is influential in how well athletes learn sport-related and movement skills (movement efficiency, such as force production, speed, and endurance) and how well those skills can be executed (movement effectiveness, including balance and accuracy; Wulf, 2013). Therefore, it is important for coaches to know and understand where athletes should direct their […]
Its the week of the big game, exam or even a job interview, you start to feel ‘butterflies’ in your stomach, you start to think “I’m Nervous” or “Something’s not right” you ‘freak out’ and you eventually under-perform or freeze under the spotlight. Well the good news is… everyone, whether athletic or not will have experienced […]
With the Wimbledon tennis championship fast approaching, there will be a number of the worlds best tennis players preparing physically and mentally for the challenges that await them. Tennis is a high paced sport where you can experience a mixture of emotions. The biggest challenge that the players will face is to do with their […]
THEORY: Positive self-talk relates to the ability to overcome negative thinking. Those who practice positive self-talk are more likely not to suffer from negative thoughts. Positive self-talk allows performers to be more relaxed and focused. Negative thoughts will increase anxiety levels. In reverse, positive self-talk creates happiness and excitement that lead to successful performance. PRACTICE: […]
International rugby stars and place kickers Dan Carter, Jonny Sexton and Jonny Wilkinson, among many others place the ball, set themselves, say something to themselves and mostly go about their business and put the ball between the posts. So what exactly should they be saying and why? Research has shown that the use of psychological […]
Self-talk is a valuable tool, one of the most effective methods of instilling self-confidence. Talking to yourself, despite being the first sign of madness, is also capable of improving performance. Self-talk is used by most elite sportspeople to instil confidence, increase motivation and to help them to ‘get into the zone’. It is accepted that […]
Self-talk is a major psychological skill used by professional and amateur cricketers. It is a method which a player can develop without the help of a psychologist or coach, due to the simplicity of its nature. Weinberg & Gould (2011) defined a psychological skill as the systematic and consistent practice of mental skills for the […]
Internal dialogue or self-talk, as it is most commonly referred to in sport psychology, is an occurrence nearly every athlete experiences. Although positive self-talk is possible, typically, our thoughts and self-statements are negative and consciously appear at the most inconvenient of times. However, it is when we fuse with these thoughts that they become influential […]
Self-talk is considered one of the main psychological strategies for developing a better mental state in sports context and it can take several forms: positive (motivational), instructional and negative (Weinberg & Gould, 2003). Self talk is also being used as a tool for elite football coaches to handle pressure and being able to maintain a […]