Metnal toughness
Mental Toughness
Definition
“the natural or developed psychological edge… that enables you to cope better than your competitors with the demands of performance… and to remain more determined, focused, confident, and in control” (Jones, Hanton, & Connaugton, 2002)
Can be something you are born with or can be taught
Put athlete in a distracting environment and help them cope with it – this will develop mental toughness
Sport Specific Stressors
Self-presentation – how we want to reflect ourselves to other people; how athletes represent themselves in the athletic environment (to their coaches, opponents, judges) – want to look fit, lean, beautiful; worry about negative impressions
Competitive anxiety – fear of failing, not living up to expectations, making mistakes
Environmental concerns – worry about getting injured due to environmental aspects
Competition factors – making a mistake, a bad call, being down with little time left in the game
Poor performance – performance that has already happened or future performance; being in a slump, making a mistake
Evaluative others – judgment of friends, coaches, scouts, family
Psycho-emotional concerns – dealing with emotions, controlling and maintaining psychological momentum, dealing with frustration/angry; worrying about managing our emotions
Performance challenges – doing a difficult routine, adding a new skill, equipment breaking
Training stress – physical and mental stress that training takes
Effective Coping in Sport
Thinking ahead; do lots of planning
If you can deal with stress better, you cope better too
Being relaxed; but not too relaxed – optimal amount
Positive self-talk
Active coping (problem-focused coping); head-on dealing with the problem
Planning
Following a routine
Optimizing emotions; make your emotions work for your performance
Rationalizing; support of others
Seeking social support; coaches, teammates, trainers, therapists, family, friends
Defining Personality
“a dynamic
Definition
“the natural or developed psychological edge… that enables you to cope better than your competitors with the demands of performance… and to remain more determined, focused, confident, and in control” (Jones, Hanton, & Connaugton, 2002)
Can be something you are born with or can be taught
Put athlete in a distracting environment and help them cope with it – this will develop mental toughness
Sport Specific Stressors
Self-presentation – how we want to reflect ourselves to other people; how athletes represent themselves in the athletic environment (to their coaches, opponents, judges) – want to look fit, lean, beautiful; worry about negative impressions
Competitive anxiety – fear of failing, not living up to expectations, making mistakes
Environmental concerns – worry about getting injured due to environmental aspects
Competition factors – making a mistake, a bad call, being down with little time left in the game
Poor performance – performance that has already happened or future performance; being in a slump, making a mistake
Evaluative others – judgment of friends, coaches, scouts, family
Psycho-emotional concerns – dealing with emotions, controlling and maintaining psychological momentum, dealing with frustration/angry; worrying about managing our emotions
Performance challenges – doing a difficult routine, adding a new skill, equipment breaking
Training stress – physical and mental stress that training takes
Effective Coping in Sport
Thinking ahead; do lots of planning
If you can deal with stress better, you cope better too
Being relaxed; but not too relaxed – optimal amount
Positive self-talk
Active coping (problem-focused coping); head-on dealing with the problem
Planning
Following a routine
Optimizing emotions; make your emotions work for your performance
Rationalizing; support of others
Seeking social support; coaches, teammates, trainers, therapists, family, friends
Defining Personality
“a dynamic