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Today's course comes from Dr. Fiona McConnochie of the Chartered Sport & Exercise Psychologist and Director Sport & Psychology at Scotland's Abertay University. Dr. McConnochie has shared her written course materials from a course talk she delivered recently in Scotland called "Competition Psychology for Pipers." Dr. McConnochie writes: The workshop will be a taster session comprising a number of techniques and exercises will help pipers of all ages and abilities overcome mental obstacles and contribute to performance enhancement and piping in competition. The techniques will primarily focus on mental strength training including intentional control/concentration, self talk (using smart talk/thought stopping), and will highlight some of the skills processes (e.g. the funnel effect) that can be used for competition. There is a lot of sport psychology in piping both in terms of practise and competition e.g. getting over anxiety and fears, recovering from slumps, improving confidence levels etc. I have worked with a range of different pipers ...