The Power of Visualization

There was a study done at Chicago State University on visualization in 1996, by Dr. Blaslotto.

Blaslotto's study was conducted by asking a group of students who has been randomly selected tp take a series of free-throws. "The percentage of made free throws were tallied. The students were then divided into three groups and asked to perform three seperate tasks over a 30 day period.

• The first group was told to not touch a basketball for 30 days, no practing or playing basketball whatsoever.

• The second group was told to practice shooting free throws for a half hour a day for 30 days.

• The third group was to come to the gym every day for 30 days and spend a half hour with their eyes closed, simply visualizing hitting every free throw.

After 30 days all three groups were asked to come back and take the same number of free throws they had in the beginning of the study.

• The first group of students who did not practice at all showed no imporvement

• The second group had practiced ever day showed a 24% improvement

• The third group however, the group which had simply visualized successful free throw, showed a 23% improvement

The measurable improvment in the group that purely visualized the excerise was virtually the same as the group who had physically practiced."

https://www.philcicio.com/power-of-visualization/

Your brain can practice the game even when your body isn’t moving. 

The power of visualization is far more important than most people realize, and it's backed by science. Studies, including research conducted at Chicago State University, have shown just how much mental imagery can impact athletic performance. 

Visualization is used by elite athletes all over the world. In fact, nearly 90% of Olympians, including Micheal Phelps, actively use visualization as part of their training. There is real neuroscience behind this process, involving something called mirror neurons. These are brain cells that activate not only when you perform an action, but also when you watch or vividly imagine yourself performing it. This mental rehearsal strengthens the brain's neuromuscular coordination, making movements feel smoother, faster, and more authentic when it matters the most.  

A great way to start practicing visualization is just 5-10 minutes a day. Close your eyes and picture situations that could happen in a game, both positive and challenging. Visualize more than just the action itself, Imagine the atmosphere, the crowd noise, the smells in the gym, the energy of the other team. See yourself serving the ball with confidence, diving for a hard driven hit, or blocking against a specific hitter. 

By mentally rehearsing these moments you prepare your mind and body for anything the game throws at you, so when the moment does come, it doesn’t feel new. It feels familiar.