Exploring the 4 W s of self talk within elite level fast bowlers: Where, When, What and Why? Adam Kelly and Matt Johnson Southampton Solent University
Aim To gain an understanding of the current self talk being used by elite level fast bowlers. Rationale Self talk widely being used within elite level sport Little literature in the area of self talk and fast bowling
Introduction to Self Talk Where do athletes use self talk? Competition and Training (Hardy et al 2001, Crust and Azadi 2010) When do athletes use self talk? Pre competition (Hardy et al 2001, Thomas et al 2007) During Competition (Hardy et al 2001, Gourzi et al 2007) During Training (Hardy et al 2001, Perkos et al 2002, Papaioannou et al 2004) What do athletes say to themselves? Structure (Johnson et al 2004, Theodorakis et al 2001) Task Instruction (Tod et al 2009, Edwards et al 2008, St Clair Gibson and Foster 2007) Nature (Van Raatle et al 2006, Harvey et al 2002, Peter and Williams 2006) Person (Lantolf 2006, Gammage et al 2001)
Introduction to Self Talk Why do athletes say this to themselves? Cognitive Skill Execution / Skill Development (Johnson et al 2004, Cutton and Landin 2007) Motivational Focus (Hatzigeorgiadis et al 2004) Self Confidence (Mamassis and Doganis 2004) Arousal (Conroy and Metzler 2004, Hatzigeorgiadis et al 2009, Crust and Azadi 2010) Drive (Hardy et al 2001, Kress and Statler 2007, Harwood et al 2004)
Participants Instrument Procedure Data Analysis Methodology (n=15) mean age 28.4 years old 8 ex-international and 7 county cricketers 207 Test wickets in 62 matches 3,971 1 st Class wickets in 1,334 matches Aim, Rationale of the study Consent form Brief client history Definition of self talk (Hardy et al 2005) 4 W s questionnaire (Hardy et al 2001) Semi Structured Interview Comfortable environment chosen by the participants Hierarchal trees and verified with another sport psychologist also a UKCC level 2 cricket coach Agreement had to be achieved before inclusion in the study
Where do athletes use self talk? Everywhere (4) Non sports related (18) Home (3) Gym (3) Where (49) Other (8) Competition (19) Sport Related (31) Training Ground (11) Subititues Bench (1)
When do athlete use self talk? All the time (2) Miscellaneous (3) Alone (1) When (62) Competition (37) Pre Competition (17) During Competition (19) Post Competition (7) analysing past events Pre Training (7) Training (24) During Training (10) Post Training (7)
What do athletes say to themselves? Perspective (6) Nature (29) Positive (12) Believe you are better Miscellaneous (2) Negative (11) Cue Words (20) Rubbish Relax Structure (69) Phrases (40) Top of off What (166) Sentences (9) Person (14) First Person (10) Second Person (4) I ll get this guy out Task Instruction (52) Specific (34) General (18) Get the yorker full
Why do athletes say this to themselves?
Why do athletes say this to themselves? Areas of interest Cognitive Specific - Skill Execution Knowing my game General - Performance Improvement little tool to help me keep it simple Motivational Mastery - Self Confidence reinforcement of my ability Drive - Increased Drive switch on
Conclusion Aim was achieved with an insight into the self talk being used Similar self talk usage to other sports Differences could be a result of unique demands of the sport and level Implications Educate fast bowlers on self talk Negative self talk to positive Increase the use of second person self talk Feedback from coaches to be positive
Any Questions?
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