COMPETITION? OH NO~~!!

Arousal control during COMPETITION…

During competition, there are a few tension release techniques you can use. The two that I recommend you using is the…

• Quick scan body
• Neck and Shoulder check.

Since you do not have much time during competition to perform these techniques, I advice utilizing quick scan body technique, while it requires quick scan of body, at the same time it is a very effective relaxation technique. Specifically with racquetball, that requires a lot of shoulder rotation, a lot of hand and shoulder work, it is extremely important to incorporate neck and shoulder check to prevent extensive tension and stress over those areas when muscle tension evident.

Remember... during competition

• Racquetball – arousal level always at the lower end for optimal performance
• If arousal level is perceived to be increasing to the inverting side of U, then incorporate these relaxation techniques.
• You can quickly do a body scan between the breaks while other opponent is getting ready for a serve.
• Relax your neck and shoulders as it will relax you whole body, hence increases smoothness of movement control, and increase performance.
• Relaxing would mean reducing arousal level. Specific sport has specific optimal level. If arousal is reduced or increased to an optimum level, you are in perfect condition.

There are a few more relaxation techniques that are extremely useful, but for the purpose of this session, we have covered the most important components of relaxation. We have covered the theoretical and practical aspect of relaxing and the methods in reducing muscle tension, stress, and anxiety.