The Power of Mental Imagery

You can find this picture at: www.eruptingmind.com

In my opinion, I believe that mental imagery is one of the most important parts of a performers success. The ability of a person to see themselves performing a skill, and then executing it exactly how they imagined, is a very powerful skill. Lets take the golf swing for example, before you take that swing, stand behind the ball, and close your eyes. Picture yourself from a birds eye view and watch yourself produce a nice and fluid swing. Watch your arms and what they are doing in the back swing, and then how you come down and contact the ball with the follow through. This cognitive tactic is extremely effective while performing different types of motor skills. This a very important skill to practice and use as a physical educator. I have used this skill in my classes this week as I teach new discrete skills and the students take time before and after in mental imagery watching themselves perform. The students find it to be very effective and enjoy participating in the activities.