Imagery

Imagery is accessing all the senses including visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile and kinesthetic to create or re-create an experience in the absence of the actual stimuli....for example an athlete can use his/her experience to recall from memory pieces of information to develop a specific sport skill without any environmental props.

A hockey player can practice hitting a slap shot into the goal from a corner position after maneuvering past two defenders in front of him while sitting in a comfortable sofa chair with his eyes closed. It is believed that imagery works because it helps athletes develop a coding system of movement pattern in effect creating a mental blueprint.

Quck quiz:

1) True/False:

A player must be able to recreate all the sensory modalities for imagery to be worthwhile.

False: Many people develop their awareness and ability to recreate deeper sensory awareness as they practice imagery. They begin to notice things in their environment or within themselves with more perception. Prior to learning imagery a hockey player may not notice how tightly he/she grips the stick in pressure situations but through practicing imagery becomes aware of excess muscle tension in their hands.

Some athletes while learning to visualize begin with fuzzy images but begin to notice more useful cues within their environment which can later enhance their imagery practices.

2) For imagery to be successfull it needs to be practiced:
a) 5-15 minutes a day.

b) 10-15 minutes, Three or more times a week.

c) For 10 minutes just prior to the event.

In my experience each performer develops an ideal range of time for their visualization practices to be useful.
Daily for the short term as a person is learning the skills can help the player learn the techniques faster. But most players feel that daily is too much time to put towards the skill. Coaches can integrate the skills into a pre-practice or warm-down after practice so the whole team benefits from the skill.

Three or more times a week for 10-15 has been most successful for athletes I work with who are working on the skills independently.

Players who decide to use visualization just prior to participating in an event can benefit but
overall the usefulness of acquiring the skill is to prepare oneself ahead of time for the upcoming event. Although sometimes athletes who are over anxious report benefits even from this short time of imaging.

What's your experience?

What's Right

What's right with the resources for developing junior tennis players in the U.S.? Alot. The
coaches are more experienced either becauses they played collegiate or professional tennis at some level. They offer their own knowledge and experiences for developing players. The coaches understand the stresses involved and ways to handle those stressors. Many facilities offer gyms and trainers for players to develop their off court skills. There are many athletic facilities that cater to specific sport development knowlege.....so the down side is expense. The cost of paying for the coaches/teachers that can deliver quality service. The costs of driving to tournaments, paying for hotels, equipment etc.

When sectional money is offered to off set costs for players that have reached a particular ranking it becomes a feeding frenzy to obtain that special number. The competition changes from learning the game to obtaining a number. Survival of the fittest. Some think this is just the way life plays out so kids should learn to deal with it. I think it hinders development and puts stress on the wrong things. So what are parents, coaches, players to do? Let me hear from you.

Coaching

The discussion of coaching in professional tennis has been a discussion that is moving closer to action as the sport looks to engage a wider audience. Coaching currently happens at the high school level, collegiate, world team tennis....yes it should be allowed in professional tournaments.
World class players are supposed to be equipped for compentency at every level of the game including strategy during a match. Successful doubles partners coach each other every point. Why not in singles? It is boring watching a professional match where a player is going down in flames, particularly when 10 tennis pros sitting in the bleachers can pick out the shift a player needs to make to get back into the match. Tennis is one of the most complex and involved sports both on and off the court. Most players will respond well to a coach talking to them during a match. The rules can be set up where twice a set during the changeovers a coach can use the time to talk to the player. There are many things a coach can do to settle a player down. The skills are usually simple. Help them settle down, tell them what to do to shift the game play, identify a pattern of the opponent.... the player may still lose but as least they are offered an opportunity to make the match interesting. Affordability? At the professional level many players already travel with coaches. Other players have hitting partners and buddies that can watch the match. Just a thought.......

Athletic Training

Every high school athletic program that includes mental performance as part of their athletic
training will produce better team consistancy and players. The mental piece is often a shout from a coach to "concentrate." What actually does that mean to a player? Sometimes the player responds by grimacing his/her face as though the facial gesture will somehow change their performance. Mental tools are not magic they are trainable tools that are handy not only for athletic training but in many ways outside of sport.
When players learn introductory mental skills in high school they are more prepared for the next challenge level during college. If an athlete has been trained well in college and has the good fortune of making to the professional level - talent alone will not carry the athlete for long but
refinement of mental skills can help the player make it to the next level and enjoy the ride.

mental tools for performance

It has been said many times that the mental game is 90% of sport success. I disagree. Technical and strategic knowledge, physical conditioning, proper nutrition including hydration AND the mental tools need to be in balance for ongoing successful involvement in sport. One piece is no less important than another in developing a balanced performer.
The imbalance occurs when the athlete doesn't practice mental skills, routines. They wait until the night before the big event and then decide they need mental training.....