Preparing for peak performance - #3 Visualization of Successful Play

So here is probably a new thing for all of you.  I doubt any of you have heard of this but it is a technique improve your performance and it can be fun because you get to dream in detail about doing great things in the game.  So it is kind of like playing soccer with out making any mistakes.  I think some of you will try to do this as you look for ways to build confidence and raise your success.

Please read the whole article here:

http://www.soccer-training-info.com/visualization.asp

Here is a key excerpt from the article:

The Steps Are Key
Just think to yourself: I receive the ball on the right side, and then I act like I'm going to dribble hard down the line to get a cross in. Next, I take a few dribbles towards the defender and when the defender's on their heels, I cut inside for a shot and bend the ball to the far upper corner with the inside of my left foot...the keeper can't reach it.
Often you are doing this kind of visualization on your own and don't even realize it. What soccer player doesn’t fantasize about scoring the game-winning goal? All you’re doing with visualization is making a conscious effort to imagine every detail, thus increasing your chances of realizing your fantasy when you’re out in the field.
If you get into the habit of walking through what you want to do in the game in your mind before you go to bed, slowly but surely it will get easier and you'll find yourself naturally thinking about moves, plays, and things you want to do in the game.
Wayne Rooney On Visualization

“I always like to picture the game the night before: I’ll ask the kitman what kit we’re wearing, so I can visualize it. It’s something I’ve always done, from when I was a young boy. It helps to train your mind to situations that might happen the following day. I think about it as I’m lying in bed. What will I do if the ball gets crossed in the box this way? What movement will I have to make to get on the end of it? Just different things that might make you one per cent sharper.”

Here is a script example from this website: http://www.soccerperformance.org/specialtopics/imagery.htm

THE MENTAL IMAGERY SESSION

When undertaking visualisation sessions, it is important to respect several major points in order to fully benefit from this type of practice: - Use consistent, short, intense sessions and build up them up slowly - Use a quiet room where you will not be disturbed- Be relaxed but alert- Set realistic attainable goals- Picture should be done in a real environment as is more realistic, e.g. a penalty kick in a game- Perform the skill from the beginning to end and at normal speed- Always imagine the action is successful & avoid rehearsing errors- Try to feel the movement using all your senses - physical sensation, sight, smell... Players must imagine themselves in action on the soccer field. They can clearly see the scenes, the colour of the shirts, the sound of the boot on the ball, feel the ground under their feet, hear the sound of the crowd and recognise the voice of their coach. Everything must be done correctly, nothing negative can be allowed to affect them and everything is vividly realistic. Once players have mastered the basic habits of imagery, they can start working on specific problems such as technique - shooting, heading, passing, ball control... It may be useful to have a written copy of a visualisation practice using a stimulus-response procedure. This involves the stimulus from the situation (defender, pitch etc) and the response of the player undertaking the action. For example, an indirect free-kick situation. Stimulus: I see our player touching the free-kick and the ball laid off in front of me. I hear the defence shouting "close him down" and see their defender moving towards me at pace, perhaps too quickly. I see the goalkeeper positioned slightly to the right of his goal. Response: I fake to shoot and pull the ball back onto my other foot. I adjust my body and make room for the shot. Stimulus: I see and feel the defender go past me and then see a slight gap at the left post. I hear my teammates shouting "shoot". I see the goalkeeper, seemingly off-balance after my dummy. Response: I see and strike the ball, feeling my head over it, my non-kicking leg next to it and my shooting leg following cleanly through. I feel my body slightly overbalance as I watch the ball whistle into the bottom left-corner of the net. Analysing your session can be useful as well. Could you see and feel yourself perform the skills, was it clear and at normal speed ? Were you relaxed but alert and was the picture clear ? Taking notes can as well be useful for highlighting any weaknesses in your imagery session in order to work on and gradually improve them. Finally here is an example where you can sit back and let a speaker walk you through. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3_qzAtdN-0 Consider making your own script of what you want to do well that day in the game and see yourself being successful before you go on the field. Go WieKings, Coach Eric