Mental Skills

 

Sports psychology or mental skills are an essential part of sport. Controlling and directing what you think about has a huge impact on controlling nerves and building confidence, producing your best performance possible, and promoting an overall sense of wellbeing about yourself and your performance. 

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The Gold Metal Profile for Sports Psychology (GMP-SP) is a journal article aimed at educating people on the important mental skills needed for high level sports. I would argue that these skills hold value for people at all levels of sport as well as for school, work, and life in general. The article identifies 11 skills:

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1.Motivation-your reason for engaging in sport

2. Confidence-the belief that you can be successful in your sport

3. Resilience-the ability to bounce back from a bad day

4. Self Awareness-knowing what you are thinking and feeling

5. Stress Management-the ability to cope with demanding situations

6. Emotion and Arousal Regulation-the ability to control your energy and emotions

7. Attentional Control-focusing on the right thing at the right time

8. Coach-athlete relationship-having trust, respect, and shared goals and values

9. Leadership-athletes my be formal leaders or informally influence the team and people around them

10. Teamwork-this includes getting along with the people you work with and your horse

11. Communication-includes verbal and non-verbal means and requires an open, safe environment

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                                      You can read the entire article at the following link:                                                          https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2022.2055224

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