Triple Hit Baseball

Triple Hit Baseball

In the previous article, we dealt with the two simple ideas of Target Setting and Routines Setting as sports psychology techniques in how to improve sports performance. In this part, we will examine in greater depth, another sports psychology skill that can be used to shaped our young athletes towards peak performance in sports. This is the technique of visualization. Teach our young sportsmen well, and they will be able attain peak performance in sports and life.

Visualization

The technique of visualization deals with holding a mental image or a process, often a positive one, in our mind long enough for our subconscious mind to register. In the the process of doing this, it sets in motion forces within and outside the body to move towards this successful outcome which is th mental image held. When we are born, our young minds knows no boundaries to what we want to achieve. Babies and toddlers will try anything, and to them nothing is impossible. But as we grow, we become conditioned by 'logic' and limitations of the world, telling us what we cannot achieved. That is why when someone is challenged by say, "Can you conquer Mount Everest?", the first thing that will hit the person is a thousand and one reason why it cannot be done. "I am not fit enough", "The mountain is too high", "Many people has died trying", and so on. These are actually negative tensions pulling us back from what we are capable of. It is natural for people to find ways and means to justify not doing something instead of being more positive in our challenges. Visualization, helps to re-tune this form of thinking. Everything begins with a thought. Once this though is establish, the mind will set in motion plans and pathways towards attaining this goal. And at a young age, it is important for coaches and parents to condition the mind of young athletes to think positively through visualization practices and techniques. And it is really not difficult.

Get your young athletes to do these 3 things when practicing visualization techniques - Verbalize, Visualize and Actualize. Start every practice session and match by getting your young athletes to verbalize their positive outcomes. Be as specific as possible in your verbalization. "I Am a fast and technically gifted striker. I score tonnes of goals in a match." "I Am a explosive runner who can run the 100m in under 11s." Get them to repeat their positive statements as often as they can. The next step is to visualize what is verbalized. By having your young athletes close their eyes and focusing on their image. You can start by talking them through while they are having their eyes closed. Slowly, with practice they will get good at this. When this happens, the mind will accept this condition as given, and the body will respond with wonderful positive experiences that will result in peal performance in sports. At this stage, it is time for your young athletes to actualize their outcome. Create match conditions where they will succeed in achieving peak performance in sports. This will raise their confidence and enable them to do great things in sports. What is more important is that this form of positive visualization will become a habit and they will carry on this for life. Get your young athletes to adopt the Nike motto: "Just Do It!"

This process of visualization is not difficult to achieve. Start with simple statements and get your young athletes to practice. Make it fun from the start. Challenge your young athletes to dream big, and dream often. Translate these dreams into statements and Verbalize, Visualize and Actualize.

In the next part, we will explore the realm if mental imagery. Stay tuned.

About the author:

Jimmy Tong has been a Physical Educator for 13 Years in Singapore, with degree in sports science and physical education from Loughborough University in UK. He has extensive coaching experience in soccer, floorball and rugby teams in Singapore Schools.He is currently a sports development officer in Singapore schools as well as an active contributor of sports training articles to improve sports performance in athletes.

For more information on achieving Peak Performance in Sports, visit the following site at http://esportspeaks.blogspot.com.