For any athlete to develop skills to the point where the skill becomes a major asset in competition, there needs to be significant mental practice. This has been verified in many different ways through scientific studies and in the actual field of competition.
Olympic athletes are among the leaders in utilizing this power of mental rehearsal. We’ve seen gymnasts, pole vaulters, divers, and high jumpers close their eyes before their routine — sometimes even moving their limbs and bodies. They’re visualizing the upcoming event, as if their body is actually performing the routine perfectly.
Then when they actually step up to compete, it’s as if they’ve done it successfully before.
Professional golfers have taken this mental rehearsal to another level - following the lead of the greatest practitioner and competitor in history. Jack Nicklaus has said, "I went to the movies - visualized the type of shot, the swing needed for that shot, and the perfect result before stepping up to the ball." Today, every player on the tour does this and more - stopping to smell the grass, and listening to the sounds - reminding themselves of a previous shot that was perfection, albeit an imaginary shot in their mental routine.
Science has verified the value of mental practice. One classic study showed clearly that people who practiced mentally shooting free throws - combining this with actual physical practice on the basketball court - were more successful than those who just practiced physically.
Dr. Bill Allyson, PhD, a local psychologist who works with professional athletes explains this phenomenon, "I’m convinced that mental rehearsal strengthens one’s commitment and confidence in their skill. When they get to the actual competition (on the ice, field or court), they are more decisive because they’ve practiced over and over in their mind the perfect execution of that skill."
Indecisiveness destroys athleticism. When we doubt ourselves at the top of the backswing, we will not swing with the athletic abilities we’ve acquired through practice. Imagine a pole vaulter experiencing a last-second doubt just before planting the pole. He or she would slow down and fail to attack the vault with enough aggressiveness to bend the pole and "spring" over the bar.
Kyle Cleven, the pole vault coach at St. Thomas University (MN) says, "Our mental training is crucial. In fact, it becomes so intense I have to take that into account in planning to peak for big events. Athletes can actually become fatigued if they practice with too much intensity the day before the meet."
This aspect of mental rehearsal is what transfers the training to the successful performance in competition. Dr. Bob Rotella works with professional golfers to train their mind to overcome the doubt that creeps into everyone’s game when they have just experienced a bad shot or two. Dr. Rotella teaches, "A commitment to a bad plan is better than no commitment at all." In other words, when a golfer steps up to an important shot on the 72nd hole of the U.S. Open, he or she better be committed and confident; otherwise, the athlete they have trained will function with the stiffness and hesitation that comes from self-doubt.
At a lower level of athletic development, mental training actually builds the initial base of skill. How else does a toddler learn to walk, run, or skate? They copy the parents, of course. Young, beginning hockey players see their "hero" shooting pucks, stick handling, or skating, and they mimic the action.
The actions of the role model better be good ones, or the beginner could develop poor habits in the initial stages. All skating practice - on-ice or off - must be done with the highest quality possible.
Watching a video of a great skater might be one of the best ways for a youngster to - get it right - at the start. Any physical training - on-ice practice or off-ice strengthening - will only contribute to better skating if the mechanics are correct.
Watching one’s-self and comparing to the perfect role model can be a valuable learning tool, and many instructors are using new computer programs to show "split-screen" video that makes this possible.
Mimicking the technique of a great skater will most certainly improve performance — especially if this is done at a very young age and if the conditions are relaxed — almost to the point of falling asleep.
Youngsters should turn on their favorite music, watch the actions of world-class skaters, and allow this to become part of their subconscious.
Your brain cannot tell the difference between a real or an imagined event.
Jack Blatherwick has a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Minnesota. He is a physiologist for the Washington Capitals, and has held the same post for the Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Minnesota North Stars. He was also a coach/physiologist on the U.S. Olympic hockey teams in 1980, '84 '88, '92 and '94. Check out Blatherwick's website at http://www.overspeed.info/.