“Going to the movies in your mind.” — Jack Nicklaus
With the NWHL and NHL back in action, players can hone their mental skills while watching their favorite teams and players. In fact, that is how I first began to develop my mental skills as a young athlete. By watching talented players in person or on television, we “train our brain” to perform in similar ways. In truth, imagery is considered the most powerful mental skill. While there are many advanced applications, what follows is a simple, effective and fun introduction to the world of imagery.
What is imagery?: Imagery, as opposed to visualization — which focuses solely on sight — is multi-modal. Research has shown that imagery is more dynamic and effective. By incorporating all of their senses, hockey players can more accurately simulate their ideal hockey experience.
