The key steps are:
break the sports performance down into its key elements
break it down into even smaller chunks if required
observe the process (possibly using a video), and interview the sportsperson to establish their:
beliefs
values
attitudes
thought patterns
For the purpose of the book it is not necessary to be NLP-trained or to know or understand the modelling process. Any sportsperson or coach who wants to be able to do this can either attend a training course or read some of the appropriate NLP literature. In this book we will be developing processes based on the NLP techniques but without using all of the jargon that normally goes with them.
And Warne or no Warne, as far as I am concerned, the Ashes
will be won or lost in the mind.
Daily Mail 1998 commentary on the 1998/9 England Cricket Tour of Australia.
A strategy is like a game-plan or blueprint for action and should include all aspects of what is likely to occur. This means planning for the things that may go right or wrong, and being sufficiently mentally and physically prepared to be able to deal with anything that happens.
A plan can also be used to ensure that training achieves maximum benefit. It is astonishing how many sportspeople, at all levels, will have some form of game-plan for the event itself but none for the training, which is the means to achieving the end. More and more people involved in sport are now recognising that the mental aspects of the training process are as important as the physical. Some sportspeople hate training, seeing it as something that has to be done, waiting only for the actual event itself. Others, however, seem to be able to produce their best in training and struggle to establish consistent levels of performance outside the training area.
In my experience confidence has come from knowing the hard
work has been put in. Like money into a bank account, without the deposit, there
is no withdrawal.
Sharron Davies
It is vital to have a strategy for success in training. This allows people who do not enjoy training to measure their progress, to enjoy it and to develop the link between training and the actual event. It also helps sportspeople who struggle to take their training performance into the competition to focus on what they need to do to bridge the gap.
The six key stages for which you need a strategy are:
prior to training
training
the build-up between training and the event
the event itself
reviewing the event
planning for next time
For each of the stages a simple checklist can be developed. If you do not like the idea of having a structured list to follow, try following the process for a period until you no longer need the list except as a reminder.
Think about the answers to these questions:
What skill/tactics do I want to practise at training?
What will be the evidence/measures of my success?
What specific actions do I need to take to practise the skills or tactics?
What beliefs do I have regarding my ability to achieve the improved level?
What NLP techniques can I use prior to training to ensure success (e.g. mental rehearsal, visualisation, affirmation, relaxation etc.)?
Think about your answers to these questions:
How will I carry forward the work undertaken into the training itself?
Who else do I need to involve, e.g. coach, teammates?
What are the mental aspects of my game I want to work on in training? For example, do I want to work on my beliefs, anchors, self-confidence, hanging on when the going gets tough, dealing with interference factors, concentration, developing positive self-talk?
What will be the measures of my success in the five senses, i.e. what will I see, hear, feel, smell or taste when I have succeeded?
What will be the physical measures of my success?
How will I reward myself for my success?
What is my action plan to take forward between training and the actual event?
Think about your answers to these questions:
What am I choosing to work on at this stage?
How can I plan my time in order to ensure that I use it purposefully?
What relaxation techniques will I use?
What can I do to keep myself occupied and focused?
What do I need to know about my opponents, the venue, travel arrangements, or anything else that could distract me?
What individual/team tactics do I need to pay attention to?
Think about your answers to these questions:
What specific part of my game am I using well?
What part of my game do I need to pay more attention to?
What do I need to take into account regarding my opponent, the environment, my teammates?
What can I do to achieve success today?
Am I enjoying the game?
What NLP techniques am I using (e.g. beliefs, anchoring, self-confidence, hanging on when the going gets tough, dealing with interference factors, improved concentration, developing positive self-talk)?
What other NLP techniques would be helpful? How aware am I of my five senses?
How am I responding to this information?
Think about your answers to these questions:
What worked well for me?
What do I need to work on further?
Who else do I need to involve?
What specific parts of the performance do I need to re-visualise, store away, develop anchors for?
What specific part of the performance do I need to analyse and build into my beliefs about my ability, my self-talk, the affirmations I can use?
What setbacks did I overcome and how can I use them to work for me the next time?
What did I learn about myself that I didn't know already?
What do I need to remember about my opponent, the environment, etc. for the next time?
What can I do to improve my levels of success next time?
How will I measure the improved levels of success?
Think about your answers to these questions:
What do I specifically want to work on prior to my next training, at the training or at any other stage of the process?
How will I measure my success?
Who else do I need to involve?
What are my action steps between now and the next training?
What do I want to work on (if anything) that I haven't previously tried?
What else can I do to ensure I have fun and succeed?
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