MENTAL SKILLS STRATEGIES – IMAGERY

Question 1

define imagery

Answer 1

The mental recreation, using as many senses as possible, of a successful past performance or skill

Question 2

define Kinaesthetic senses

Answer 2

allow us to feel our body as it moves through different actions;

Question 3

define Auditory senses

Answer 3

are used to monitor the way your playing environment sounds.

Question 4

define Tactile sense

Answer 4

allows you to take in how the equipment you are using feels.

Question 5

list and describe the 2 types of imagery

Answer 5

1. Internal – where you imagine what you would see if you were actually performing the skill
2. External – where you watch your performance from the view of an external observer

Question 6

elaborate more on imagery and stress

Answer 6

An athlete can use imagery to reduce stress by creating a mental picture of themselves performing the skill perfectly, in its entirety, with the desired outcome.

Question 7

elaborate more on imagery and motivation

Answer 7

Imagery can be used to motivate an athlete to strive for ongoing improvement.

Question 8

elaborate more on imagery and concentration

Answer 8

Athletes use imagery to focus on a particular skill, aspect of a skill or a specific game scenario e.g. maximising arm extension in a tennis serve

Question 9

elaborate more on imagery and arousal

Answer 9

Athletes who are either under or over aroused do not perform at their optimal level as these mental states can result in missing or imagining important cues in the environment and not focusing on the task at hand.