Book :Dreaming Your Dream- The power of visualization
Visualization is a powerful mental training technique for athletes of all abilities. Often referred to as mental training, mental practice, mental imagery, and or mental rehearsal, visualization can enhance the acquisition of sport skills as well as athletic performance. Visualization involves use of all the senses to vividly and clearly re-create, simulate, or create, in our mind's eye, successful and effective practice and performance outcomes (Vealey & greenleaf, 2001). Sports psychology researchers and practitioners wholeheartedly support the use of visualization to improve concentration, and build confidence, control emotional responses, acquire and practice motor skills, acquire and practice strategy, and cope with pain and injury (Weinberg & Gould, 1999). Visualization works because it connects out imagination with reality. Our minds think in images and images create feeling , and our thoughts and feelings can influence the effectiveness of our actions. Our dreams in effect are visions of who we are and what we would like to be or do. Our imagination provides the creative energy that encourages us to act out our dreams. Ralph A,Vernacchia. Authored a book titled; The mental dynamics of athletic performance, Inner Strength (2003). This book is an eye opening experience, imagine the feeling one gets when they experience flow - Being at the top of your game ,in a contest. Everything appears in slow motion , confidence is overwhelming, you can do no wrong on the court. Now, what if we could bottle that feeling and use it everytime it is needed. As a coach, I'am going to give my athletes every chance to do well, on and off the court and introducing imagination training will be a cornerstone. Just wanted to post some thought about visualization, thanks.
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Comments
This is something that I used to do when I played sports and it is unbelievable how well it can help. I would imagine myself in certain situations or doing certain things during the game and more often than not it would actually happen or be close to what I had visualized. Mentally preparing for an event and believing in yourself is just as important and in some circumstances more important than being physically prepared. Thanks for your imput.
Confidence is one of the most important attribute an athlete can have. A confident athlete will visualize himself making big plays. I used this throughout my career in every aspect. From offseason to postseason. A feel like this is a very coachable attribute that can be passed on to the kids. You have to believe that you can before it actually happens. You think Peyton Manning, LeBron James, and Micheal Jordan visulized themselves making big plays? Of course
Thanks for the post. I believe we sometimes overlook this very important aspect of improving our game or our players game. Thanks for the book information I will have to check it out :)
Imagery that initiates the kinesthetic sense is particularly important to athletes because it involves the movement of the body through certain positioning, which is ultimately useful for enhancing performance. There is a specific type of Imagery called PETTLEP imagery, developed by Holmes and Collins (2001). PETTLEP Imagery incorporates it’s own set of key factors that are believed to effect athletic performance. These components: physical, environmental, task, timing, learning, emotion and perspective. The objective of PETTLEP imagery is that it aims to produce a “realistic and more functionally equivalent imagery experience than traditional imagery.” (Smith, Dave) This type of imagery has been used by numerous athletes and can be very effective in preparing an athlete for any task. It can also improve the confidence of an athlete to execute any skill.
References:
Smith, Dave, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology Mar2007, Vol. 19 Issue 1
Holmes, P, S., & Collins, D, J. (2001). The PETTLEP approach to Motor Imagery: A Functional Equivalence Model for Sport Psychologists. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 13, 60-83.
Mental training is just as important as physical training to be successful in sport. A good coach will provide his/her athletes with opportunities to develop mental tools as well as physical. Great post.
This is so true, when you watch a team step on the court that just has that mind-set they are better then you. I works to build their self confidence and intimidate their opponent. The power of mental training and visualization. Or is it just that you are concentrating more. You see the ball going into the basket or into your hands.