What is PSychological skills Training (PST)?
Below we will cover the basic information you need to know about psychological skills training (PST).
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PST EFFECTIVENESSThis is a mental skills training aimed at improving the performance of athletes by developing self-confidence and a positive mindset. It contributes to up to 90 percent of an athlete’s performance. It is the psychological factors that account to daily fluctuations in performance. Physical and technical practices should not be the only components of the training program. Psychological tools should be used together in conjunction with the main tennis training.
Educationally or athletically based psychological skills training enhances performance. Intervention must be individualized, employed systematically over time by combining different psychological skills such as goal setting and imagery. |
PST Knowledge Base
Athletes who included psychological tools as part of their training regime had better:
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Some useful skills shared among athletes and coaches include:
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I'm not afraid of anyone, but sometimes i'm afraid of myself. the mental part is very important.
Justine Henin
former Belgian professional tennis player
Phases of PSychological skills Training
Educational Phase
This is the state where psychological skills should be learned and practices. Expectations at this phase include improved skill development and refinement over time. Acquisition Phase
At this point, we focus on the different techniques and strategies for learning the different psychological skills. The programs should be tailor made to suit individual needs. General information can be provided to the team, but there is a need to be specific when developing a PST program for an individual. That means you must have your targets beforehand before you can focus on the program. Practice Phase
This is the practical phase. The PST skills taught in the previous phases should progress from practices and simulation to actual competition. It focuses on automating skills learned by: a) Over-learning, b) Integrating psychological skills, c) Simulating the skills learned, d) Applying the skills to actual competition. |
common problems in implementing a pst program
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PST MYTHS
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WHY ARE PST NEGLECTED?
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"You've just got to get over that mental hurdle and those battles in your own head during matches when things aren't going so well. It takes time. It's probably all things I already knew, but for someone to talk about it maybe in a different way makes you realize things."
Sam Stosur Australian professional tennis player |
Designing a schedule
Formal ProgramThey take approximately 1-2 days. They can be scheduled before or after the practice. |
In PracticeIt can be on a daily basis. It is often associated with strategies, drills or skills. |
Implementing a PST program
when to implementDuring the off seasons as the athletes are less occupied and committed. |
duration of trainingDaily, 10-15 min each session would be ideal. Alternatively, 3-5 days weekly is another viable option. As for the mental training, it should continue throughout an athlete sports participation. |
Evaluation of PST
- Providing feedback and allow the athletes to make changes
- Interviews and written evaluation-They are the most commonly used evaluation techniques
- Put a lot of emphasis on personal responsibility.
- Use goal setting as a teaching technique.
- Encourage athletes to create pre-competition mental plans.
- There is need for the coach to demonstrate such skills as they coach.
- The coach should display the behavior prior and during competition such as being in control.