There is a distinction between global self-confidence, which is a personality trait, and situation-specific self-confidence, which is believing you can succeed at a given task. Bandura's self-efficacy theory describes situation-specific self-confidence. For developing self-confidence as a beginner, four elements are effective: successful performance, vicarious experience through modeling, verbal persuasion through encouragement, and emotional arousal. Self-talk, once mastered, can be an effective coping strategy to overcome anxiety, increase self-confidence, and improve technique.

1. SELF-CONFIDENCE

2. A distinction must be made between GLOBAL SELF-CONFIDENCE –personality trait or disposition SITUATION-SPECIFIC SELF-CONFIDENCE – Believing that you can succeed at a given task

3. Models of self-confidence Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy – a form of situation-specific self-confidence.

4. For the beginner – 4 fundamental elements are effective in developing self-confidence

5. Developing self-confidence Successful performance Vicarious experience – modelling or copying Verbal persuasion – encouragement Emotional arousal

6. SELF-TALK Once mastered, can become an effective coping strategy to: Overcome anxiety Increase self-confidence Improve technique

7. SELF-TALK definition A personal dialogue in which the athlete interprets feelings, perceptions and convictions and gives himself instructions and reinforcement.

8. The 4 Ws of self-talk WHERE? WHEN? WHAT? WHY?

9. 3 Categories of self-talk to increase confidence Task-specific statements Encouragement and effort Mood words

10. For self-talk to be effective, it needs to be: Brief Phonetically simple Logically related to skill involved Well timed with task

11. Functions of self-talk Building & developing self-efficacy Skill acquisition – work harder to change bad habits, learn new good habits Creating & changing mood Controlling effort Focusing attention or concentration – ‘now’