Circle Breathing

1. Approaches
Workbook
Circle Breathing – Teacher Answers

2. 1)Whyiscirclebreathingeffectiveinhelpingan
athletetoperformtotheirmaximumlevelof
performance?
• Removal of stress related reactions e.g. muscular
tension.
• Establishing a physical and mental state which has an
increased receptivity to positive mental imagery.
• Establishing an appropriate level of physical and mental
arousal prior to competition. Removes self-doubt,
anxiety etc and increases concentration and
performance.
• Reduce arousal level when self-control could be lost.
• Clears the mind of mistakes and allows appropriate
decisions to be made.

3. 2)Whymightcirclebreathingbeusefulforanathlete
intheleaduptoavery importantperformanceor
immediatelyafterperforming?
• In the lead up to an event an athlete might be
anxious about their performance. This could
prevent them preparing properly for the event
(perhaps affecting sleep). Using circle breathing will
help to reduce this anxiety and help the performer
to relax and be calm.
• Circle breathing could be used after a performance
to try and lower level of arousal by bringing the
athlete into a calmer state. This will help the
performer rest, recover and recuperate after the
performance.

4. 3) Circlebreathingisaveryeasyapproachtousein
ordertoachieveamorerelaxedstate. Whatabout
circlebreathingmakesiteasyforalmostanyathlete
touse?
• No equipment required
• Very simple instructions to follow – really
doesn’t require an expertise
• Doesn’t take much time

5. 4)Circlebreathingwillonlybeeffectivewhenrequiredifitis
practicedregularly. Whydoyouthinksomeathleteswhotryto
usedeepbreathingduringaperformancebutarenot
successfuldon’tpracticeitregularly?
• Some athletes may feel that the technique is so simple that
they do not need to practice using it. Therefore when they try
to use the technique in a very stressful situation the response
to the deep breathing has not been trained and as a result it
may not be effective.
• Athletes might not fully buy in to the technique and how it can
improve their performance. As a result they may not take the
time to practice use of the technique.
• Athlete who are not confident may feel silly or awkward using
this technique in the practice environment.

6. 5)Although circlebreathingisaquickwaytoachieve
relaxationwhatmightpreventanathletefromusing
thisapproachduringaperformance?
• In the heat of the moment athletes might not
remember to use this technique – this is particularly
likely to be the case if they have not practice using
this approach and therefore don’t use it as a matter
of habit to deal with stressful situations.
• In some situations athlete might not have the time
to use circle breathing. This is particularly the case
when skills are performed where there is not a break
in play.

7. 6) Itisimportantthatanathleteisawareoftheirlevel
ofarousal. Inwhatsituationmightitdoingrelaxation
exercisessuchascirclebreathingbedetrimentalto
performance?
• If we asked an under-excited athlete
to use relaxation procedures it would
only make it harder for him/her to
"get-up" for the competition. The
coach therefore has to know his/her
athletes and how they react in
competitive situations.

8. 7) Therearemanysituationswherecirclebreathing
canbeusedtoensurethatanathletemaintains
optimumperformancelevel,makingitavery
versatileandusefultoolforanathletetoposses.
Identifyatleast2situationswherecirclebreathing
maybeuseful.
• Before reacting to a bad decision by a
referee
• Before performing a skill where there is a
delay before hand in a particularly
important moment e.g a putt to win a
competition or a serve at match point
down.