SOLO PRACTICE - Imagining Your Way to Mastery
Often when we solo practice we are merely repeating a specific movement. We are throwing out our jab and our cross, being mindful of our form; but, not visualizing the impact we may have on our imaginary opponent. To truly highlight the benefits of solo practice, athletes must utilize their imagination to create a fictitious combative scenario.
Athletes need to recreate the scenario as vividly and as realistically as possible. The mind is like a VCR. According to Dr. Gary Mack, author of Mind Gym, "The human body treats every vivid thought and image as if it is real and happening now. Everyone who has awakened from a nightmare knows this to be true."
Ask yourself...
Where are you?- What time of day is it?
- What time of year is it?
- What are you wearing?
- Who is your opponent?
- Is their only one?
- What do they look like?
- How are they moving?
- What are they saying?
- How do you feel emotionally?
- How are they attacking you?
- How are you attacking them?
- How are they responding?
- What do you hear?
- Who is watching?
- Who is with you?
To bolster your confidence you need to always visualize a successful and victorious scenario. Building mental muscle, like building physical muscle takes time and effort. The more you work on the inside, the more it will show on the outside.
