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.