| When it comes to sports, athletes will do just about | | | | help you perform better. |
| anything to get that "edge" over the competition. | | | | *Rehearsal strategy - Mentally going over possible |
| Special diets, supplements, and physical conditioning, | | | | situations that may come up and imagining your |
| just to name a few, are the ways that athletes | | | | strategies can help you be more relaxed and confident |
| prepare for competition. There is one very specific | | | | doing your game. |
| type of training that is often overlooked or underrated. | | | | *Get a winning attitude - After losing games, athletes |
| This is mental training, or visualization. Many top | | | | often lose some of their hard earned confidence. This |
| athletes use this type of training. | | | | can have a negative effect on their game. Using |
| There have been studies done on the effects of | | | | visualization to "see" yourself as a winner can break |
| visualization in sports by some of the top universities in | | | | through a negative attitude. |
| the country. Studies clearly show that utilizing the mind | | | | Like any other training, visualization must be practiced |
| body connection, whether it is through visualization, self | | | | often in order for it to be truly effective. A few |
| hypnosis, or affirmations, can significantly improve the | | | | minutes each day is enough. Sit or lie down in a |
| athlete's skills. It can also help them to become more | | | | comfortable, quiet place and relax. Begin by imagining |
| focused, and even overcome or prevent training | | | | yourself practicing. See yourself performing your skill |
| burnout. | | | | perfectly and effortlessly. Then see yourself in the |
| Visualizing is simply "seeing" yourself doing what you | | | | game. Notice how relaxed you feel and how |
| want to do and mentally practicing your game. The | | | | comfortable and confident you are. Imagine yourself |
| following are just a few examples of what | | | | playing the best game you have ever played. As you |
| visualization can do to improve sports performance: | | | | continue your visualization, work on any problem areas |
| *Become mentally prepared - Being in the right state | | | | and see yourself playing your game effortlessly and |
| of mind at game time is crucial. The ability to focus and | | | | always see yourself getting better and better. |
| block out everything going on in the world outside of | | | | Visualization can be very effective, but it doesn't take |
| your game can mean the difference a mediocre | | | | the place on physical sports specific training. It is a tool |
| performance and a great performance. | | | | to help you be the best you can be. It takes patience |
| *Improve skills - Spending time visualizing yourself | | | | and practice. If you have trouble visualizing, you may |
| learning a new skill, or improving current ones can help | | | | want to listen to some guided meditation CD's, or see |
| you to perfect your skills. | | | | a certified hypnotherapist for a few sessions to get |
| *Review your game - Reviewing how you you play | | | | you started. |
| your position and how you would like to improve can | | | | |