Sport Psychology 3 – Mental Practice/Imagery/Visualisation 2.2 A Ball of a Time!

Sport psychologists often use the following practices to enhance performance: Goal Setting Mental imagery Mental practice Visualisation Self Talk Routines Performance Improvement

What is it?  This is done by picturing a performance in one’s mind  It involves no physical practice.  It consists of seeing the action in your mind, though it is sometimes regarded as also including viewing films, reading or listening to instructions.  This is done by picturing a performance in one’s mind  It involves no physical practice.  It consists of seeing the action in your mind, though it is sometimes regarded as also including viewing films, reading or listening to instructions.

Application (How is it used?)  Mental rehearsal should take place in the performance environment  The action should be performed in it’s entirety where necessary  The performance should be successful  The performance should be practised immediately before a competition  The actions imagined should take place at the same rate as the performance  The athlete should imagine the feel of the action  Mental rehearsal should take place in the performance environment  The action should be performed in it’s entirety where necessary  The performance should be successful  The performance should be practised immediately before a competition  The actions imagined should take place at the same rate as the performance  The athlete should imagine the feel of the action

Questions to consider… 1.How could mental practice and distributed practice be combined? 2.Why type of skills would be better suited to mental imagery/visualisation? 3.Why must we ensure we also use physical practice? 4.Identify an experience you have had with visualisation. How effective was this and why.