Everyone wants to get better, no matter what they are involved in. It could be sports, drama, arts, or music. One wants to get as much practice or reps as possible, but can they actually do that? Is the human body physically able to do that? It depends on their demand, but the most common answer is no. Many will ask coaches about getting more reps or practice, but this is only sometimes beneficial. Some could injure themselves and be out for an extended period, or others could gain bad habits that don’t help them. But there is a technique that can be used to help some. It is called visualization. Athletes can use this technique as a way to get mental reps. All they need to do is take a few minutes and envision themselves doing their activity.
Several years ago, this technique was introduced to the varsity volleyball team. The head coach, Roxanne Paulsen, came across this at a coaching clinic. She decided to start trying it with her girls and has had a very positive response from it. Many girls were asking to get more reps, but they weren’t physically able to do that. Paulsen said, “…I was at an NCAA tournament…in Omaha a year and a half ago, almost two, and one of the coaches there said a girl came up and was asking what she can do to get more reps, and she said ‘no cause you can’t physically can’t do that.’” So, she had the girls start to envision themselves doing the reps. Every week, she will take time during certain practices to have her players visualize for a couple of minutes. One of these players is Kenzie Lovell, senior. She has played volleyball for eight years now and will graduate this spring. She has been a part of the varsity volleyball team for two years now and has gotten to experience a lot when it comes to visualizing. Lovell has been able to use visualization in her daily life, and it has helped her become more confident. Lovell said, “It has built my confidence and made it muscle memory to do what I need to do.” Confidence isn’t the only thing it can help with. It can also help people lower their anxiety levels. Knowing that someone can do something can help them stop stressing over it. Once they envision themselves completing the task, it is clear that they can do it. Another thing is motivation. One needs to have the motivation to get better, otherwise they won’t move forward. Visualization can help with that. It can give someone motivation to look at what they can do in their activity if they have motivation to do it. Lastly, it helps gain a better mentality. It can improve one’s attitude through their activity and daily life.
Visualization can be seen all over the world, especially in athletics. It can benefit so many people in so many different ways. The growing knowledge of this technique is increasing so much in sports and the world in general.
