Trojan Swimming Club
16/6/2014
Practical Mental Skills
Training: Summer Camp
Dr. Olivia A Hurley
Institute of Art, Design & Technology
(IADT), Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland
E-mail: olivia.hurley@iadt.ie
Website: www.iadt.ie/ccta
Twitter: @DrOliviaHurley
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
“I broke the race down …4 laps…then
another 4…and another 4…then a
sprint to the finish"
[Sonia O’Sullivan: Fail Better, TCD:
https://dublin.sciencegallery.com/events/2014/02/runnerpsychologyfailingbettersports
oniaosullivanandianrobertsonfullybooked]
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
“Train as you are going play”. Try to mimic what you
are going to do on match days during the week.
Don’t train at 70 or 80 percent and expect the
adrenaline to pick you up that extra 20 per cent
come Saturday. Train with that level of intensity in
short bursts during the week and you will have
yourself very ready for the game”.
[Brian O’Driscoll]
Mental Skills Training
& Mental Fitness
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
The 3 Cs = ??? : ....... .......... & .........
2 Key Myths:
* Myth 1: Champions born mentally fit/“tough” X
...... made √
* Myth 2: Mental fitness is:
..... static .....X
..... dynamic √
Training for Prime Swimming
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Facing Challenges-Mental Strategies:
Mental ‘Maps’ [Motivation - Goals]*
Mental ‘Movies’ [Imagery]
Mental ‘Moods’ [Relaxation strategies]
Mental ‘Memories’ [Concentration strategies]*
SMART/SCAMP Goals
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
(see Handout 1)
[Outcome, Performance, Process Goals]
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Agreed / Action-based
R – Realistic
T – Time phased / Task focused
S – Specific
C – Challenging / Controllable
A – Agreed/Action-based/Attainable
M – Measurable / Multiple
P – Personal
Using Imagery
Practical Tips - PBIUU
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
(see Handout 2, 3 & 4)
P – Practice
B – Be positive
I – Imagine specific actions
U – Use all relevant senses
U – Use imagery in practice (training)
Imagery Skills
(see Handout 4)
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Mental Practice
in Action
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
(see Handout 5)
R – Relax
C – Create your image
R – Rehearse
U – Make routine
U – Use imagery in practice (training)
Assessing Mistakes (see Handout 6)
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Reframing Setbacks (see Handout 7)
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Self Talk Examples (see Handout 8 & 9)
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
SCAR (see Handout 10)
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Swimmers perform the way they practice
Recommended Texts

Karageorghis, C.I., & Terry, P.C. (2011). Inside Sport
Psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Kremer, J. & Moran, A. (2013). Pure
Sport: Practical Sport Psychology. London:
Routledge.

Moran, A. (2012). Sport and Exercise Psychology: A
Critical Introduction. London: Routledge.
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Recommended DVD
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Moran, A. (2009). Learn to concentrate http://www.mindcoolproductions.com/pro
ducts/concentrate/
Recommended Website for Swimmers
British Psychological Society (BPS): Going for Gold
http://www.bps.org.uk/going-for-gold
The Psychology of Cycling
http://www.stickybottle.com/coaching/video-the-psychology-of-cyclingare-you-doing-all-you-can-to-achieve-your-goals-on-the-bike/
Dr. Olivia Hurley
Trojan SC
16/6/14
Thank you for your attention
Any Questions??
/ Good Luck!!