Mental Training in Dancesport by Boris Rohne, Madeleine Rohne, and Michael Draksal is a practical training guide designed to help competitive dancers strengthen their mental skills, learn movement sequences more efficiently, and perform more consistently under competition pressure.
The book introduces specific methods for visualization and mental rehearsal. Dancers learn how to create mental scripts, memorize routines, identify key movement points, develop movement sensations, determine intensity, use mental technique training, and evaluate their progress. It also addresses how these skills can be transferred directly to competition performance.
A major section focuses on accelerating overall performance development. The authors examine seven important areas—conditioning, nutrition, mental strength, technique, tactics, equipment, and environment—along with motivation, performance monitoring, time management, concentration, and dealing constructively with mistakes and setbacks.
The final section concentrates on performing at your best in competition. Topics include adapting mentally to competition pressure, developing flow through body and movement awareness, building confidence through positive feedback, recognizing personal strengths, creating a Plan B, handling blackouts, and maintaining mental stability in challenging situations.
According to the book, the training approach grew out of two World Championship preparations in the Ten Dance discipline and more than 500 mental competition-preparation training sessions. It is recommended for performance-oriented dancers aged 14 and above, particularly those involved in Ballroom Standard and Latin dancing.
Contents
1. Mental Training – An Introduction
An introduction to the principles and practical application of mental training in dancesport.
2. Learn Movement Sequences Faster & Stabilize Them Mentally
- Introduction
- Preliminary visualization exercises
- Creating a mental script
- Memorization and mental presentation
- Identifying key points
- Integrating movement sensations
- Determining intensity
- Mental technique training
- Methods for monitoring progress
- Recalling performance in competition
3. Accelerating Overall Performance Development
The Big Seven performance areas:
- Conditioning
- Nutrition
- Mental Strength
- Technique
- Tactics
- Equipment
- Environment
Additional topics include:
- Increasing motivation
- Monitoring performance and progress
- Time management
- Improving concentration
- Dealing with mistakes and setbacks
4. Performing Better in Competition
- Adapting to competition pressure
- The Flow Pyramid
- Body awareness
- Body sensation
- Movement sensation
- Flow
- Building mental strength
- Positive feedback
- Identifying personal strengths
- Confidence in action
- Plan B
- Dealing with blackouts
- Challenging personal limits
- Transferring mental skills to high-pressure situations
The book also includes a bibliography and index.
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