You can use imagery in a number of important ways:
To feel and practice moves and routines perfectly within your mind. This
helps to program and strengthen the nerve pathways within the brain that
control the correct execution of the skill - remember that your mind is the
control centre of your body in performance.
To prepare for events that cannot be easily simulated for in practice.
This gives you both the confidence to deal with these events as they arise,
and the self-confidence that comes with preparation for any reasonable
eventuality.
To experience achievement of a goal In your mind before you physically
achieve it. This helps you to build the confidence that that goal can be
achieved and expand your perceptions of the boundaries of your abilities.
To get a feeling of experience and 'having been there before' the first
time you compete at a higher level.
To practice and program your mind when you cannot practise and program
mind and body together:
When you are physically tired, or do not want to tire yourself before
a performance
When the correct equipment is not available
When weather is too bad to train
When injury stops normal training
When you do not have the time to practice a particular skill
physically
To practice a particularly boring skill many times - concentrating your
mind on imagery of the skill forces concentration on the skill.
To study your technique in your mind, either reducing complex movements to
simple skills, or slowing the movements down to analyse them for faults in
technique.
To relax - by imaging and enjoying a pleasant, quiet scene. This can be
used most effectively in conjunction with biofeedback.
Imagery works best as a way of practising and improving known skills, with
known feelings and body positions. Whether or not it is an effective method or
acquiring completely new skills is a matter of debate.
