Approaches to develop the mental factor
The mental factor concerns all things which involve cognitive processes, ie where the brain and thinking are involved. This could include:
- developing creativity
- developing concentration
- developing levels of arousal
- developing decision-making
Developing creativity
In this area the approach used would need to gradually increase the challenges faced while performing. This would increase the number of times the performer had the chance to be creative.
One approach to develop creativity is scenario activities
Approach: Scenario activities
Setting up performance contexts similar to those faced in a live performance situation would encourage players to be creative. These would allow players to try different tactics, shots on goal, dodging or passing ‘tricks’.
In terms of creative activities, unusual and varied sequences or motifs are more visually interesting to an audience. Adding twists, turns or changes of style will also increase interest for audiences.
| Approach | Specificity | Progression and challenge |
| Scenario activities | Set up scenarios which are like the situations faced in the real performance | Include more performance challenges so that creative or problem solving skills need to be used. For example, at a free kick in football, players would be nominated to make fake runs to try and distract the defending team's attention from the player taking the shot. |
| Approach | Scenario activities |
|---|---|
| Specificity | Set up scenarios which are like the situations faced in the real performance |
| Progression and challenge | Include more performance challenges so that creative or problem solving skills need to be used. For example, at a free kick in football, players would be nominated to make fake runs to try and distract the defending team's attention from the player taking the shot. |
More guides on this topic
- Knowledge and understanding - Mental factors
- Knowledge and understanding - Emotional factors
- Knowledge and understanding - Social factors
- Knowledge and understanding - Physical factors
- Key planning information
- Performance development - Emotional factors
- Performance development - Social factors
- Performance development - Physical factors
- Investigating performance
- Tracking and Assessing Progress
