1. Overview Who uses it? Demos How it works Uses and types of imagery Imagery training Overview Who uses it? Demos How it works Uses and types of imagery Imagery training Imagery and Mental Practice

2. “ I never hit a shot, even in practice, without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head. It ’ s like a color movie… In my case, visualizing the ball ’ s ultimate resting place forms the opening scene ” Jack Nicklaus (1974) in Golf My Way Who uses Imagery

3. “ I did my dives in my head all the time. At night, before going to sleep, I always did my dives. Ten dives, starting with the first one I ’ d do in the Olympics, and I did everything as if I was actually there. I saw myself on the board with the same suit— everything was the same. If the dive was wrong, I went back and started over again. It takes a good hour to do perfect imagery of all my dives, but for me it was better than a workout. Sometimes I would take the weekend off and do imagery 5 times a day. ”

4. 90% of Olympic athletes 2% Of high school athletes Who uses Imagery

5. a)String and nut b)Arm spin c)Arm strength Demos

6. WHY DOES IMAGERY WORK? Psychoneuromuscular Theory –Imagined events have a similar effect on the nervous system and mental processes as actual events. Symbolic Learning Theory  early learning – new skills  mental blueprint  cognitive + motor responses Mental Skills Hypothesis  indirect effects on performance (arousal control; confidence; placebo?)

7. a)Improve concentration b)Build confidence c)Control emotional responses / reduce stress d)Practice sport skills and strategies e)Cope with pain and injury f)Practice difficult interpersonal situations

8. a)Internal b)External c)Multi- sensory Types of Imagery

10. IMAGERY BASICS multi-sensory process  re-experience event realistically  create a new “ reality ” vividness  videotape controllability  imagine consistent excellence relaxation training  brain waves in “ alpha ” state

11. PREPARING TO PRACTICE the right setting, relaxed attention, motivation to train, the right attitude or expectancy and, systematic practice.

12. IMAGERY PROGRAM HOW-TO ’ S imagery skill evaluation  evaluate sensory skills, vividness, and controllability  target weak areas to improve setting  no distractions  distractions present  away from site  on-site  off-the-field  on-the-field

13. IMAGERY HOW-TO ’ S IDEAL TIMES FOR IMAGERY before and after practice before and after competition during competition  pre-shot, pre-snap, pre-race, and between play routines  breaks in action down-time injury rehabilitation