1. How to diagnose, treat and help an athlete out of a
mental slump
(In relation to anxiety and motivation)
McCarthy, M. (2012) Beating the slump using sports psychology, (online)
http://www.stack.com/2012/07/10/beat-the-slumps/, accessed the 9/4/13

2. It can happen Decrease in performance
at any time
Can cause
frustration
What is a mental Slump?!?
Created by
mental
instability
It can happen at
any age Created by
Physical
Can cause disruption
confidence drop
Jones, G. (2002) What is this thing called mental toughness? An investigation of Elite Sports Performers, Journal of Applied Sports Psychology,
volume 14, issue 3

3. Step 1
Diagnosis Of Problem
• Create a discussion
• Bring them to there “happy
place”
• Form a bond of trust
• Listening is key
• Positive body language and
eye contact
Lazarus, R. (2000) How Emotions Influence Performance in Competitive Sports, The Sports Psychologist, 14, 229-252
(Picture) The daily quotes, (2012) Be Positive, (online) http://thedailyquotes.com/post/1943, accessed the 9/4/13

4. Case study 1
Anxiety
• John Fitzgerald
• 18 year old swimmer
• Recently broken into the Australian swimming squad.
• Times have dramatically decreased after suffering 2
close defeats
• Symptoms: confidence drop, increased heart rate and
breathing rate, over aroused, negative thoughts, slow
start
• Diagnosis: his problem to be directly linked with
anxiety.

5. Negative
There are
emotional state
two kinds of
anxiety
Negative
thoughts
Butterflies in
the stomach
What is anxiety!?!
Cognitive anxiety
Characterized by
worries,
apprehension & Somatic anxiety
nervousness
Swain, A.B.J. and Jones, G. (1996) Explaining performance variance: the relative contribution of intensity and direction dimensions of
competitive state anxiety, Anxiety, Stress and Coping: An International Journal, 9, 1-18

6. Diagnosis of problem
• Cognitive: doubtful of own ability
• Somatic: Increased breathing and heart rate
Weinberg, S., Gould. D., (2011) Foundations of Sports and Exercise Psychology, fifth addition, pg. 51 & 78 (Text Book)

7. Williams, J.M., Landers, D.M., Boutcher, S.H., (1993). Arousal-Performance Relationships, Applied Sport
Psychology; Personal Growth to Peak Performance, pgs. 170-184, 2The inverted U Hypothosis

8. Step 2
Provide a treatment
Cognitive reconstruction therapy
• A technique used to identify and correct
negative thinking patterns otherwise known as
mind over mood.
• The technique involves altering negative
automatic thoughts that occur in anxiety-
provoking situations
Hazlet, H, Craske, G, (2004) Handbook of Brief Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, (part of the Scandinavian Journal of
Behaviour Therapy), Chapter 1

9. Relaxation and mindfulness
• Is the promotion of rest in the muscle and
mind while in a meditative state.
• In other words it can be known as mind over
muscles.
Humara, M. (1999) The relationship Between Anxiety and performance: A Cognitive – Behavioural Perspective, The Online Journal of Sports Psychology,
Volume 1, issue 2, 1 – 10
(picture) Still mindfulness, (2013) Mindfulness and relaxation, (online) http://www.stillmind.com.au/mindfulnessandrelaxation.htm, accessed the 9/4/13

10. Case Study 2
Lack of Motivation
• Michael Sutherland
• 24 year old golfer
• Was once ranked in the top ten golfers in the world
• Recently has dropped out of the top 10
• Symptoms: dramatic personality change
• Diagnosis: a lack of motivation.

11. Direction and intensity of
Determined by three sets
ones effort
of two factors
Extrinsically motivated; Ego motivation;
in it to win it striving to be the
best
What is Motivation?!?
Personal factors; needs,
interests and goals
Task motivation;
enjoyment
Situational factors;
coaching style and Intrinsically motivated; out of
facilities interest
Weinberg, S., Gould. D., (2011) Foundations of Sports and Exercise Psychology, fifth addition, pg. 51 & 78 (Text Book)

12. Diagnosis of problem
“ Goal orientation in sports questionnaire ”
Michael has a higher ego orientated way of
thinking leaving him to be more extrinsically
motivated
Sport and performance Psychology Motivation tutorial, Task and Ego Orientated, Originated from Maehr, M. & Nicholls, J.G. (1980)
"Culture and achievement motivation: a second look." In N. Warren (Ed.), Studies in cross-cultural psychology vol 2, London: Academic
Press

13. Step 2
Provide a treatment
Mental Imagery
Involves an athlete imagining themselves in an
environment performing a specific activity in a
positive manner.
Vadocz, E.A., Hall, C.R. and Moritz, S.E. (1997) The relationship between competitive anxiety and imagery use, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 9, 241-253
Edwards, D. (2012) Mental Imagery, (online) http://www.thefitnessexplorer.com/home/2010/5/31/mental-imagery.html, accessed the 9/4/13

14. Situation change
Bringing in a retired professional golfer that he
used to watch when he was a child can help re-
motivate him as it is a reminder of why he took
up the sport
Hardy, L., Woodman, T. (2003) The relative impact of cognitive anxiety and self-confidence upon sport
performance: a meta-analysis, Journal of Sports Sciences, 21, 443-457

15. Step 3
Reviewed and Debriefing
• It is the coach’s job to consistently assess and debrief with the
athlete while they are working through their rehabilitation.
• Depending on how serious the slump is the coach and athlete
should be debriefing 3 to 4 times a week outside of training
plus before and after every training session
• For junior or semi pro athletes the amount of debriefs would
be significantly less
Lazarus, R. (2000) How Emotions Influence Performance in Competitive Sports, The Sports Psychologist, 14, 229-252

16. If No Improvement is made
techniques and methods may have to
be revised and change
It is common for step two, to be
repeated

17. REMEMBER
The problem needs to be diagnosed
Discussed
Treated with a method
Reviewed

18. For Further information
• http://carlhynescoachingpedagogy.blogspot.c
om.au/2013/03/motivation-about-
me.html?showComment=1363763251682
(motivation blog)

19. References
• Jones, G. (2002) What is this thing called mental toughness? An investigation of Elite Sports Performers, Journal of Applied Sports
Psychology, volume 14, issue 3
• Hardy, L., Woodman, T. (2003) The relative impact of cognitive anxiety and self-confidence upon sport performance: a meta-
analysis, Journal of Sports Sciences, 21, 443-457
• Hazlet, H, Craske, G, (2004) Handbook of Brief Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, (part of the Scandinavian Journal of Behaviour
Therapy), Chapter 1
• Humara, M. (1999) The relationship Between Anxiety and performance: A Cognitive – Behavioural Perspective, The Online
Journal of Sports Psychology, Volume 1, issue 2, 1 – 10
• Lazarus, R. (2000) How Emotions Influence Performance in Competitive Sports, The Sports Psychologist, 14, 229-252
• Swain, A.B.J. and Jones, G. (1996) Explaining performance variance: the relative contribution of intensity and direction dimensions
of competitive state anxiety, Anxiety, Stress and Coping: An International Journal, 9, 1-18
• Sport and performance Psychology Motivation tutorial, Task and Ego Orientated, Originated from Maehr, M. & Nicholls, J.G.
(1980) "Culture and achievement motivation: a second look." In N. Warren (Ed.), Studies in cross-cultural psychology vol
2, London: Academic Press
• Vadocz, E.A., Hall, C.R. and Moritz, S.E. (1997) The relationship between competitive anxiety and imagery use, Journal of Applied
Sport Psychology, 9, 241-253
• Weinberg, S., Gould. D., (2011) Foundations of Sports and Exercise Psychology, fifth addition, pg. 51 & 78 (Text Book)

20. Picture References
• McCarthy, M. (2012) Beating the slump using sports psychology, (online)
http://www.stack.com/2012/07/10/beat-the-slumps/, accessed the 9/4/13
• The daily quotes, (2012) Be Positive, (online)
http://thedailyquotes.com/post/1943, accessed the 9/4/13
• Williams, J.M., Landers, D.M., Boutcher, S.H., (1993). Arousal-Performance
Relationships, Applied Sport Psychology; Personal Growth to Peak Performance,
pgs. 170-184, 2The inverted U Hypothosis,
• Still mindfulness, (2013) Mindfulness and relaxation, (online)
http://www.stillmind.com.au/mindfulnessandrelaxation.htm, accessed the 9/4/13
• Edwards, D. (2012) Mental Imagery, (online)
http://www.thefitnessexplorer.com/home/2010/5/31/mental-imagery.html,
accessed the 9/4/13