My apologies for not sending this earlier, but I wanted to be completely certain of all the methods and rule-legalities before doing some proper research. Anyway, here's what I found out -
* There is nothing in the school or tournament rules preventing the use of even full Occlumency, let alone the mind-clearing techniques used in the initial stages of training. I still wouldn't advise using full Occlumency, but I don't see any reason why what we discussed wouldn't work.
* If anyone wishes to do any further reading, there are plenty of books on the subject in the library. However, there's the risk of them running out and I don't think we'd actually need them to be workable. I've checked several different authors and come up with a set of instructions that is consistent with all guidelines.
* If anyone proves to be something of a hard sell on the matter, I've found some articles that back me up from varying perspectives. Firstly, Muggle manuals on meditation, which have a lot of similarities to what we're after. Secondly, an interview with the captain of the world-cup winning Peruvian side where he talks about the importance of taking control of one's thoughts (not quite the same as what we're after, but there's a link, no?). Thirdly, when I wasn't even researching, an interview with one of my favourite rugby players where he talks about using meditation in order to help his game improve physically and mentally by way of increased confidence... and rugby's even more of a physical sport than Quidditch. Might help persuade those with more knowledge of Muggles.
Let me know if there's anything further you want me to do. I've attached some of the basics I mentioned, but I have more if anyone needs persuading.
-LS
[Attached:
* Larissa's "how to" summary * List of library books on Occlumency, Meditation and Sports Psychology * Copies of the interviews mentioned above