Psychological preparation is done after complete exploitation of sports training and techniques. Because training methods, training loads, and methods of speeding up recovery used by leading athletes are very similar, based on the same widely accessible knowledge of physiology of effort, it is mental training that determines victory or defeat.

Tools of Psychological Preparation

Psychological preparation involves mental exercises, and methods, if systematically applied, improve control of emotions and behaviour, quality of concentration and increase endurance to stress or mental toughness. These preparations tightly integrated with physical training. Both these forms of preparing athletes for competition complement each other and lead to peak form and record results.

Kinds of Psychological Preparation

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Psychological preparation falls into three categories:

General Mental Preparation: Learn to achieve the relaxation state and to concentrate attention-foundations for making positive mental changes and for developing the skill of controlling emotions and behaviours.

Sport-specific Mental Preparation: Athletes learn mental exercise for developing the skill of ideomotor training (use of imagery to improve physical skills), sport-specific concentration of attention, and mental toughness. Athletes also learn how to include mental exercises in their regular workouts.

Mental Pre-start Preparation: Athletes practice programs of mental training preparing for competitions-ideomotor training for perfection of sports techniques and tactics, mental exercises for control of arousal during competition and for increased confidence, and a relaxation programme for speeding up recovery during strenuous workouts and competition. At the end of this period athletes internalize one program designed to prepare for a particular competition.

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Preparation Environment

Sports psychologists work in close association with coach who not only knows the athlete better but also the specifics of the sports. It is best to prepare an athlete in a transition period (a period of relative rest following a competition period and preceding the next preparatory period) because of lowered physical loads of athlete.

The exercises developing basic mental skills, such as relaxation, concentration and positive thinking, help to deal with problems arising from the previous competitive period and increases an athlete’s willingness to train.