The mental rehearsal technique I use before every competition and training session

[Wonder man]

Before a match or training session, I'll spend a few minutes with my eyes closed and run everything through in my head. I'm just mentally walking through the process from start to finish. I'll run it a few times until it feels natural, then I go do it for real.

Visualization doesn't replace actual practice... I wish it did, I'd save a fortune on ammo, what it does do is help me show up with a plan instead of figuring things out on the fly. The first rep of the day doesn't feel like the first rep because I've already walked through it a few times in my head.

Some people think visualization is only for top-level competitors. I think it's one of the cheapest training tools available. It costs nothing and helps connect the dots between what you want to do and what you actually do when the timer starts. The physical reps build the skill but the mental reps help you access it when it counts.

 

[HWB13]

Good thoughts, I would add dry fire. As the story has been told to me. Lanny Bassham didn't have regular access to a firing between the 72 and 76 Olympics . He would get dressed in his shooting gear and dry fire the whole match in his room in the dark . Visualizing the crowd , the sound of the stadium, shot by shot, even the podium ceremony . In the 4 year between hundreds of times. When he showed at the trials most thought he was washed up had shoot live rounds at all compared to the hundreds of thousands that the others had. He won the trials and gold in 76.

Dry fire is cheap and more importantly effective .

Again great thoughts Wonder Man

 

[Alan]

Before a match or training session, I'll spend a few minutes with my eyes closed and run everything through in my head. I'm just mentally walking through the process from start to finish. I'll run it a few times until it feels natural, then I go do it for real.

Visualization doesn't replace actual practice... I wish it did, I'd save a fortune on ammo, what it does do is help me show up with a plan instead of figuring things out on the fly. The first rep of the day doesn't feel like the first rep because I've already walked through it a few times in my head.

Some people think visualization is only for top-level competitors. I think it's one of the cheapest training tools available. It costs nothing and helps connect the dots between what you want to do and what you actually do when the timer starts. The physical reps build the skill but the mental reps help you access it when it counts.

That’s a good approach. Mental reps don’t replace live practice but they do help smooth out decision-making so your first physical run isn’t a cold start. It’s basically lowering the cognitive load before the timer ever goes off.

 

[blue raven]

Running through a stage in your head the night before a match really changes how that first run feels on the clock. Your brain processes visualized movement almost like the real thing. Is that just motivational talk or is there some neuroscience in that?