Table 1.

Coding Framework Used to Analyse Verbalisations for Challenge and Threat Conditions.

Primary theme	Secondary theme	Description	Example
Emotion-focused coping	Emotional release	Verbalization made related to releasing negative emotions such as frustration and anger or expressing emotions.	“Argh, why did I try and do something stupid then?”
	Relaxation	Verbalizations made regarding remaining calm and relaxed or efforts by athlete to be in a relaxed state.	“Stay calm, come on, relax again, come on.”
	Positive self-talk	Verbalizations made regarding positive self-statements.	“Really good, good hand work, good contact with the ball, keep working”
Problem-focused coping	Technical instruction	Verbalizations made regarding technical instructions or corrections.	“Watch that ball, keep your eye on it.”
	Planning	Verbalizations made regarding tactics and planning for upcoming shots.	“Probably try and hit it through long on, that’s where the runs will come from”
	Increased effort	Verbalizations made regarding increasing effort and motivation towards task.	“Keep backing yourself come on, stick with it.”
	Concentration	Verbalizations made regarding increasing or remaining concentrated and focused.	“Just keep focussed, should be easy work from here.”
Stressors	External	Verbalizations made regarding external factors that may have a detrimental impact on athletic performance.	“It is a hard length to hit, can’t really get underneath the ball.”
	Performance	Verbalizations made regarding factors related to performance of skill.	“Not connected with that one very, struggling to find the middle of the bat here.”
	Pressure	Verbalizations made regarding factors related to feeling or experiencing pressure.	“Need some boundaries again now, pressure is building”
Gathering Information		Verbalizations made regarding gathering information from the environment or situation.	“15 runs of 30 balls, comes at around 3 an over.”