1. PAGES 1-35 - Texas Track & Field Coaches Association

occurs most often in the areas of concentration and composure
(Reardon & Gordin, 1999).
The application of psychological skills to competitive
situations requires developing an effective pre-competition
routine, a sound pre-performance routine and a
sound recovery/refocusing routine for use in competition
(Reardon, 1992). All of these routines need to be developed,
utilized and applied in a practice situation in order
to be able to effectively implement them in a competitive
situation (Judge et al., 2010). Elements of a competition
day mental plan include:
Energy Management Skills
Checklist For Competition Day
Mental Plan Chronology
The principle of specificity is very important to keep in
mind when designing physical training programs and is
equally important in the development of psychological
skills. A pre-competition routine for a hammer thrower
may include a planned warm up, positive self-talk, a focus
on performance goals, a relaxation strategy, controlling the
type and amount of interaction with others, a nap earlier
in the day, and monitoring fluid and food intake. The competition
day mental plan in Table 2 was utilized by
American record holder (in the women’s hammer throw)
Erin Gilreath. Ultimately, athletes need to experiment with
the pre-competition routine in practice with the guidance
of the coach.
CONCLUSION
The concept of self-talk has several important implications
for athletes and coaches. Dedicated and driven
coaches seeking success must know how to incorporate
not only the physical aspect of training, but also the mental
aspects as well. Sport psychology has emerged as the
latest tool for helping coaches prepare athletes for competition,
but few coaches take full advantage of psychological
skill preparation. Psychological training for any athletic
undertaking is a complex process that involves learning,
practicing, and applying numerous psychological skills
(like the previously mentioned skill of self-talk).
Psychological training must be part of the periodized plan
and must be programmed as such.
Although this article has focused specifically upon selftalk
for the throwing events in track and field, the basic
psychological concepts and practices noted have application
in numerous other individual and team sports. One of
the most important skills for learning to deal with stressful
situations is to identify self-talk the internal dialogue
occurring within the mind. The “stress-log,” covering the
A’s, B’s, and C’s of the situation, is a useful tool to help
uncover the negative or unhelpful aspects of thinking.
Replacing those negative thoughts with more reasonable
and helpful thoughts is key to optimal results.
All events in track and field and other sports can benefit
from the development of a psychological training plan
that is sequenced and that unfolds in harmony with the
physical training plan. The gap between the science used
to develop the training program on paper and the art of
implementing the program to maximize the performance
in the competitive and practice venues separates good
coaches from great coaches. All coaches strive for the ability
to have their athletes perform in an uninhibited,
relaxed, and skillful manner. Various personalities, team
chemistries, motivations, and attitudes coalesce to create
a series of variables for the coach to juggle. With the daily
practice plan in hand, the coach steps out onto the field
and begins practice where a multitude of unexpected variables
can occur. Implementing and successfully executing
the plan may very well be the biggest challenge. It does not
matter what is on paper if the coach cannot execute the
plan effectively. Understanding each individual athlete
and knowing what motivates him or her is the crucial element
of understanding self-talk and creating an environment
for great performance. Inadequate mental preparation
can easily undermine an excellent physical technical
preparation. Flow, which many experts in the field call
“being in the zone,” is a primary goal of athletes and
coaches alike. A coach who utilizes a plan to train the
mental skills along with the physical skills throughout the
year will minimize the unknown variables and better prepare
their athlete’s ability to perform in competitions.
Developing a strategy for mental preparation will help
your individual athletes and/or team realize their full
potential and enjoy the post event celebration on the
awards stand. The hard work pays off!
Dr. Larry Judge is an Associate Professor of Physical
Education at Ball State University and the Throws Chair for
the USATF Coaching Education Program.
Erin Gilreath was a 2004 Olympian in the Hammer Throw
and competed in two World Championships.
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