Instructional self-talk is when athletes and exercisers talk to themselves to help improve their performance. It’s like giving themselves helpful tips and reminders. They might say short phrases or cue words to keep focused, use the right techniques, or follow a good strategy. Many sports like badminton, basketball, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field have seen better results with this type of self-talk. Most of the research on instructional self-talk has been done in practice, not competitions. It’s useful for learning new skills, especially ones that need precision. However, during tough competitions, skilled athletes might find it better to switch to motivational self-talk for better results.
