Write your search in the input below and press enter.
Esc to close.

The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich

Peak Performance:
Not Just for Sports, for Life

  • Products
    • Toolkits
    • Audio
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Apps
  • Services
  • Chalk Talk
    • Recent
    • Athletes
    • Coaching
    • Sports Parenting
    • Sports Administrators
    • Life
    • Administrators
  • About Dr. Stankovich
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Products
    • Toolkits
    • Audio
    • Books
    • Videos
    • Apps
  • Services
  • Chalk Talk
  • About Dr. Stankovich
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Hello. Sign In

My Account
  • Login
  • Register
0
The Sports Doc Chalk Talk
Subscribe
The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
  • Recent
  • Athletes
  • Coaching
  • Sports Parenting
  • Life
  • Administrators
Home / Blog / See the Ball, Be the Ball: Imagery Tips for Sport Success

See the Ball, Be the Ball: Imagery Tips for Sport Success

By: Dr. Chris Stankovich | @DrStankovich | Dec 20, 2016

No Comments

“See the ball, be the ball” was the advice given by Chevy Chase’s character (Ty Webb) gave to Danny Noonan in the classic sports movie Caddyshack, suggesting that you must first see success before you can expect it to happen.  Creating (or recreating) mental thoughts with the goal to improve sport performance is known by sport psychologists as imagery, and it is a tool that every athlete can use to improve focus, calm nerves, and even bounce back from adversity.

Imagery can be a powerful tool for athletes, but it’s important to note that imagery is not “magic,” and it’s only effective when athletes show patience and discipline when integrating it into their game.  Imagery is also not a substitute for putting in the work, but it can compliment and strengthen the work athletes do put in when practicing to be the best.

mental-toughness

Some additional interesting facts about imagery include the following:

  • Any athlete can use imagery, and imagery can be used before, during, and after games.
  • Imagery (in theory) strengthens neural connections in the brain, and thereby allows athletes to have more consistent, immediate muscle memory movements (automatic movements) while playing.
  • Imagery can be used to help with skill acquisition, skill proficiency, calming nerves, pumping up, and improving focus.
  • The more senses athletes use (i.e. tactile, kinesthetic, auditory, olfactory, and visual) the better and more realistic the imagery experience will be for the user.

Imagery should also be controllable (meaning you use imagery to see yourself being successful and practicing good techniques, etc) and vivid (realistic and lifelike).  The more real you make the imagery experience, the more likely your brain will become conditioned to act/react more quickly in game situations.

train-your-brain-16

As important as it is to understand what imagery can do in terms of athletes looking to gain a mental edge on the field, it’s just as important to understand what imagery is not.  For example, imagery is not “magic,” nor is it a substitute for working hard, learning your plays, or getting it done in the weight room.  Athletes who elect to use imagery should look at it as a complimentary piece to what they are already doing, rather than a substitute to get out of work.

If you’re an athlete looking to gain an edge on the competition, then imagery might be a worthwhile tool to add to your arsenal.  Imagery is easy to do, doesn’t take long, and if you’re committed to using imagery you will likely experience positive results.

www.drstankovich.com

 

 

anxiety, Coaching, confidence, imagery, motivation, psychology, sport, success

  • Author
  • Comments
  • Details
Get to Know the Author

Dr. Chris Stankovich

Dr. Stankovich has written/co-written five books, including Positive Transitions for Student Athletes, The ParentsPlaybook, Mind of Steel.

Latest Blog Posts

  • February 2, 2023 Accident Prone & Forgetful? Poor Stress Coping May be the Reason
  • January 30, 2023 Your Toughest Competition for Future Success is…YOU!
  • January 25, 2023 The Psychology Behind Breaking Bad Habits
  • January 23, 2023 When it Comes to Mental Health, Words Matter
  • January 17, 2023 What has Happened to Free Play and Recreational Sports for Kids?

Comments are closed.

PREVIOUS POST

The Athlete’s Mind: DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE

NEXT POST

Why Do Kids with ADHD Only Show Symptoms When They Are Bored?

Category

Amateur , Athletes , Athletic Counseling , Coaching , Evaluating Talent , Imagery , Mental Toughness , Performance Enhancement , Prep , Pro , Pro and College Sports , Sport Psychology , Sports Parenting , Sports Performance Science , Team Building , Uncategorized , Youth and Interscholastic Sports , Youth Sports

Tags

anxiety, Coaching, confidence, imagery, motivation, psychology, sport, success

  • Recent Posts
  • Most Read
  • Accident Prone & Forgetful? Poor Stress Coping May be the Reason
  • Your Toughest Competition for Future Success is...YOU!
  • The Psychology Behind Breaking Bad Habits
  • When it Comes to Mental Health, Words Matter
  • What has Happened to Free Play and Recreational Sports for Kids?
  • Applying Psychology: Kids Can Improve Sport Skills by Means of Direct Observation Learning
  • Exploring the Indirect Human Development Effects Video Gaming is Having on Kids
  • Increase Your Chances for Goal Success by Implementing these Strategies
  • When it Comes to Happiness, Health, & Productivity, "Easy" isn't an Option
  • What has Happened to Free Play and Recreational Sports for Kids?
  • The Sports Doc on TV

    Catch Dr. Stankovich’s tv, radio, and print interviews and columns here!

    Dr. Chris Stankovich Watch Videos
  • Sport Performance Assessment

    Dr. Chris Stankovich Quickly and accurately test your level of mental toughness in just a few minutes using the Sport Performance Assessment.

    (SPA), an easy-to-use sport psychology system specially designed to help you REACH YOUR FULL ATHLETIC POTENTIAL.

    learn more
  • SportsSuccess360

    Life strategies for performance and character development for coaches, parents, and student athletes competing in youth and interscholastic sports.

    Life Strategies learn more
  • Contact Dr. Stankovich

    1395 Grandview Avenue Suite 6, Columbus OH 43212

    (614) 561-4482
    Media & General Inquiries
    information@drstankovich.com
    Sales & Product Support
    sales@drstankovich.com
  • About Dr. Stankovich

    • Media
    • Blog
    • Testimonials
  • Products

    • Toolkits
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Audio
    • iPhone Apps
  • Services

    • Athlete Performance Training
    • Parent Community Forum
    • Coach Education & Development
    • Athletic Crisis Response and Intervention
    • Drug & Alcohol Assessment
    • Life Success Programs
    • Counseling & Consulting Services
  • Blog
  • YouTube
  • twitter
  • facebook

All rights reserved © 2023 Advanced Human Performance Systems™

↓ ↓