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Basketball Mental Skills Article

The Game Changer – Imagery

“Commitment separates those who live their dreams from those who live their lives regretting the opportunities they have squandered” Bill Russell

Mental imagery is a mental tool that allows you to improve your basketball. According to Sports Psychology, “Visualization and imagery are not abstract concepts but a quantifiable and well-documented concept.”

Driskell, Copper, & Moran (1994) have defined mental imagery as the “cognitive rehearsal of a task in the absence of overt physical movement.” In simpler words, everything that you visualize is a form of mental imagery.

Why Should You Use Imagery?

According to Kanthack, Bigliassi, Vieira, & Altimari (2014), mental imagery has been studied as a catalyst to improve free-throw performance.

Often, when you wish to achieve something, say free throw shooting, you imagine doing that on the basketball court. When you create images of the result, these mental images inspire you to take action and motivates you to take on your goals.

How Imagery Works

Did you know that the mind is made up of two parts?

One is the conscious part, and the other one is the subconscious part.

The subconscious mind is like clay; you can mold it the way you want. It will consider things the way you imagine them to be.

Even sports science backs up the power of imagery. It says that the neurons in our brains perceive mental imagery as a real-life action. One you can master mental imagery; there are enormous benefits for you.

Imagery Manage High-Stress Situations

As you prepare for a crucial game, have you ever imagined doing a game-winning shot? Yes, it can be tough to manage your thoughts and emotions in those high-pressure situations; however, mental imagery can help.

You can boost your confidence by imagining what the situation looks and feel like.

You will be better equipped with how to cope when your heart starts pounding, and your breathing becomes uneven, and what you can do to stay calm.

Imagery Helps with New Skills

Mental imagery can help you learn new skills and improve on existing skills. When you imagine doing a new skill, your brain combines physical practice with mental practice. And it allows your brain and body to remember how to practice those skills without actually performing them.

Imagery Helps You Stay On Track

If you spend time imagining what it will look and feel like to accomplish a specific skill, you become committed to the experience.

For example, if you’ve been working on your passing skills, engaging all your senses in thinking about a crucial pass on an important game will motivate you to stick to your goal.

Just thinking about reaching your goal isn’t enough. Mental imagery can help you create contingency plans for facing your obstacles as well.

Remember that mental imagery can help you be successful if you practice consistently.

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