The Power of Imagery

This month I wanted to talk about imagery and how youth sports players can use it to take their game to the next level.  This form of mental practice is used by athletes around the world as part of their preparation for competition.  Most athletes who wish to one day take their game to the collegiate or pro levels should be incorporating this and other psychological skills training into the training regime.  Not only do these skills help with what athletes face on the field; they also enhance performance in other areas of a person’s life.

Considered on of the most important mental skills techniques, imagery allows the athlete to imagine themselves performing a specific task related to their sport.  What’s fascinating about imagery is that when an athlete does incorporate this form of training into their preparation, certain areas of the brain believe that it is actually happening.  For example if you imagine dribbling a soccer ball, your body will respond as if you were actually performing that skill.  This will improve your performance, because imagery is allowing you to strengthen the movement patterns you use when you are playing your sport. 

Imagery is used to help athletes in a variety of situations.  They use it for calming techniques, energy management, to prepare for performances, to learn new skills and enhance existing ones.  The goal is to make the image as-realistic-as-possible.   Incorporate all of your senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) into the process, as well as the energy levels you experience during one of your best performances.   Picture a time when everything you did was right on.  What sounds did you hear?  What was the weather like?  How did you physically feel that day?  Were there any particular smells in the air that you remember?  What was the field like?  Visualize the ball and the players on the field?  What was your confidence and motivation like that day?  How were you praising yourself?  Now imagine yourself performing your particular sports techniques to the best of your abilities.  Close your eyes and believe.  That realistic image you perform over and over in your mind, will begin to help enhance your performance on the field. Try to do this once a day, somewhere quiet.  Any place and any time will work and soon you will see how something as simple as imagery, can be so powerful.

Lonnie Horsey

Mental Game Coach