Mental Gymnastics/Drills
According to recent reports, visual imagery is a technique that sports people employ to prepare themselves for contests and competition.
Scientific American Mind magazine postulates that "athletes may profit most by building up psychological strength through three techniques: visualisation, confidence and self-talk”.
This short article provides tips that have been considered useful by many modern day coaches for helping athletes perform better.
Visualisation
According to the article, the first technique “See it” became popular during the 70s and involves a player standing quietly and imagining himself or herself hitting the ball using as many senses as possible (to complete the particular practice routine) all the while thinking about various aspects of the experience. This routine can include following each movement physically and well as mentally. This technique is not unlike shadow boxing
While the article mentions tennis players, a table-tennis player might approach the mental exercise like this. Assume that you want to practice a particular serve remembering that all serves have a throw upwards, a strike of the ball and a follow through.
Exercise: “Stand with eyes closed and imagine getting ready to serve. Position yourself at the correct position at the table and at the correct length for the particular serve. Next imagine yourself throwing the ball upwards (always), visualise yourself hitting the ball with your bat at just the right time that you want to hit it for that serve pulling your free hand away and positioning your body and bat with them ending where you want them to end.”
An exercise like this could be done at the table or even in a chair. Of course at the table you could extend the exercise to imagine that the table is wider than it really is and that your bat is bigger than it really is. You can also add enjoyment to the serve, the correct placement of the return and your strong return of the expected return for your ball. So with practice each serve action can supplement your physical memory of the same serve.
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