Smart Curling: How to Perfect Your Game Through Mental Training
Success in curling demands outstanding skill and strategy, but getting and keeping the champion's edge requires even more. Exceptional psychological skill is imperative. Ask the experts.\ \ In Smart Curling, champion Vera Pezer uncovers these secrets for those who are committed to curling excellence. Winner of countless championships, she knows all about "hurrying hard" while keeping her cool to win. From the perspective of competitor and that of sports psychologist, Pezer illustrates how to...
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Success in curling demands outstanding skill and strategy, but getting and keeping the champion's edge requires even more. Exceptional psychological skill is imperative. Ask the experts.In Smart Curling, champion Vera Pezer uncovers these secrets for those who are committed to curling excellence. Winner of countless championships, she knows all about "hurrying hard" while keeping her cool to win. From the perspective of competitor and that of sports psychologist, Pezer illustrates how to maximize motivation and concentration while effectively managing stress and distractions. She teaches about self regulators and confidence and outlines the relationship between practice and competition. She helps players understand and practice excellent communication - verbal and nonverbal. And she outlines team dynamics to understand and work with the various personalities and roles of team members and coaches.Loads of examples and illustrations elucidate the sound theory in Smart Curling while its worksheets (downloadable from the internet) are designed to help players complete the exercises required to perfect their game through mental training.
List of Charts and Exercises xiAcknowledgements xiiiThe Right Energy 1Excitement 3How to Manage Excitement and Maximize PerformanceMore on Managing ExcitementMotivation 10Internal MotivesThe Negative Side of MotivesUnderstanding Your Performance MotivesStress 20Sources of StressSymptoms of StressEnvironmental StressorsChanging the EnvironmentManaging the EnvironmentLeaving the EnvironmentStress Management StrategiesPhysical StrategiesControlled BreathingMuscular RelaxationMental StrategiesImageryThought StoppingSelf-talkMaking the "Irrational" RationalSharing StressTime ManagementMental Training Techniques that Work 49Imagery 52Practising Skill-specific ImageryReviewing Past PerformancesRehearsing Strategies for Future CompetitionConcentration 62Tips for Improving ConcentrationMore on DistractionsSelf-talk 73How to Develop Personal AffirmationsSome Final Thoughts on Imagery, Concentration, and Self-talk 76Mental Toughness and Team Dynamics 79Effective Communication 81Dealing with DisagreementsTips for Decreasing Tension among TeammatesDealing with ConflictHow Do You React to Conflict?How Do You Manage Conflict?Improving How YouCommunicate with TeammatesKeeping a JournalTeam MeetingsE-mailsCohesive Teamwork 104The Role of PersonalityIntroversion-ExtroversionLeadershipRolesStylesProductive Goal Setting 117How to Set GoalsSome Final Thoughts on Goal SettingChallenges to Success 127Maintaining Your Confidence 128Recognizing and Overcoming Your Negative ThinkingCircumstantial ThinkingPersonal ThinkingSome Comments on ChokingBuilding Your ConfidenceThe Value of Practice 142Practice TipsUsing Contracts to Define Team Expectations and Responsibilities 145Tips for Effective ContractingDealing with Negative Challenges 150Game-related ChallengesStarting WellProtecting a LeadCatching UpEnding WellKnowing the IcePersonal ChallengesBalancing DemandsPerformance KillersSlumpsStalenessBurnoutChokingProblems with TeammatesRecommended Readings 167Notes 169Index 173About the Author 177
