Mental Rehearsal & Visualization: The Secret to Improving Your Game Without Touching a Basketball!

This computer that we use to discuss was at one time visualized by someone. Its the power of the mind to unlock potential.

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During my basketball career (HS and collegiate), I used visualization on and off the court and it helped so much in my making decision and offensive skills. Creating a scenario in my head and responding to it (1v1) to also going through plays and responding to any possible scenario that could occur.

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The concept of visualization cited in this article is based off of the Law of Attraction which has been proven scientifically by quantum physics. It''s scientific FACT that like energy attracts like energy. Our thoughts are energy and whatever we think about, feel, believe and take action to support those beliefs/feelings WILL MANIFEST ITSELF INTO OUR LIVES. If you''re skeptical about this study, just research Law of Attraction or watch "The Secret".

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I knew results of these researches. From perspective of my experience, visualtion in basketball can be useful more in case of stress reduction or mindfullness practices than technical aspects of basketball skills.
Of course positive visualitions supported by imagination practices concerned basketball skills are OK as a Mental Practice but REAL (musce engaded) practice also must be done. I think the most useful is engagement visualitation sessions during individual coaching with a player and continuing this practice in real activity in a gym

rgds

d.w.

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Ok so I'm having a big problem with visualization perfect games with sports. I'll be on a streak for some games and be on fire because of the mental game and the use of visualization. And then some games I'll be completely off air balls everything off the back of the rim. But when I have great games my visualization is very clear I kno I made like every shot in my head for sure. But sometimes I'll think it was very good and I'll play terrible and I know this is the reason because I'll be really streaky as a shooter. Please someone help has anyone had this problem before? I want to keep trying with visualization because if I get it right I could be a very consistent dominate player. But sometimes when I imagine my self shoot it's really hard I'll hang in the air for a while the ball won't just fall through the net it kinda just hangs in the air and then I'll be in a different gym and the ball never really fell through the net. For some reason I have a problem with the ball actually clearly going through the basket. Then when it doesn't go in and I try and force it in during visualization I'll start grabbing my shirt and moving a lot during it. Grabbing on my shirt REPEADETLY and moving a lot please help me guys if u kno anything about the mental part of sports please help me out 😭

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Add on: This mental pic of success instantaneously influences the shot in progress! SUCCESS!!!

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Coached and taught Elem.BB teams - and officiated high school and college 26 years. "What ever the mind of mankind can perceive (visualize as possible) and believe, it can achieve!" Improved shooting results when, at the instant of shot release, the ball is visualized going through the net. This mental picture of success causes an impulse being sent back to the shooter, causing his physical body to respond in such a way, as to bring to fruition the success his minds eye has just witnessed! While being consciously aware of this ''''miracle'''' at first, it will soon become second-nature for the shooter - happening automatically!!! AMEN!! Enjoy success!

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No one has replicated this 1943 study
in 72 years?

That''s very suspect.

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Joe Haefner says: 2/7/2015 at 10:04:14 AM Could be. But many similar studies have been produced in different areas of expertise. Like     login   register

i REMEMBER LEARNING THIS TECHNIQUE IN HIGH SCHOOL BACK IN 85. MY FIRST YEAR PLAYING BASKETBALL MY SOPHOMORE YEAR I SHOT 8% FREE THROW. I ATTENDED THE BASKETBALL CAMP AND THEY TAUGHT THIS TECHNIQUE. SO FOR THE NEXT 9 MONTHS I VISUALIZED SHOOTING FREE THROWS 100 EACH NIGHT AND i COMBINED THAT WITH SHOOTING 50 FREE THROWS EVERY DAY. THE NEXT YEAR I IMPROVED TO 89% THIS DOES WORK.

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Joe Haefner says: 1/26/2015 at 8:48:46 AM Robert, we're glad to hear about your success with the techniques. Thanks for sharing! I have read many books and research since I wrote this article about professional and Olympic athletes using these exact techniques with success... even pianists and violinists. Like     login   register

Thanks to Coach John, he forwarded information form the specific study:

Vandell RA, Davis RA, Clugston HA: The function of mental practice in the acquisition of motor skills. J Gen Psychol 29:243-250,1943

The MP and PP groups improved 23% and 24%, respectively, as compared
with no improvement in a control group that did not practice
either task. This classic study from 1943 is often cited as
evidence of the effectiveness of MP.

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I have read and quoted that study for years, particularly those percentages. Iave never seen cause to doubt it.

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I got the study from the renown book Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz.

It said the study was from the Research Quarterly, but that's all I could locate for information about the study. So who knows... maybe I bought in too quickly to this specific study.

One thing that might help is that I originally mispelled the spychologists name. IT had two L's intead of I's.

His name as listed in the comment above is Dr. Judd Biasiotto.

There are numerous studies outside the basketball realm that have had positive results as well. I'll have to write another article. :)

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There is a "Dr. Judd Biasiotto, a sports psychologist who was a four-time world record holder in power lifting".
Source: http://www.worldhistorysite.com/rsc-6.html

Also, "Dr. Judd Biasiotto has worked as a sports psychologist with numerous amateur and professional athletes and sports teams, including the Kansas City Royals, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Cincinnati Reds."
http://www.amazon.com/Psych-ebook/dp/B00AEGSUQQ

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Thanks for sharing this study, Joe! As a life and confidence coach, I use this very technique to help people achieve what they want in all areas of life. Having a specific study to quote always helps the sceptics to be willing to try something new!

Tracy O''Brien
www.prospernow.me

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Really nice article on an essential mental game technique! Dr Dean Hinitz, Sports Psychologist

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This beginner basketball drill is a great way to get your team acquainted with one another while reiterating the importance of a correct stance.

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First make your self open and create a lead before you receive the ball. When you get the ball set up the shot you want and go for it. Remember Hoped shots never get in the basket so have confidence.

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I've also looked to confirm the claims, but I can not find anything. I can't even find Judd Blaslotto. For any academic, all one needs to do is type in his or her name into a search engine, and his or her web page is usually one of the first hits. For Mr. Blaslotto, I see only websites citing this basketball study. One site claims he's written books:

http://www.cosmicmysteries.com/imagination.php

but I can't find them on Amazon or anywhere else.

I did find this, though:

http://lib.typepad.com/suggest/2010/07/judd-blaslotto-basketball-and-the-university-of-chicago.html

They couldn't find it... Would you be able to provide a citation?

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Lance Bolender says: 6/18/2015 at 12:41:01 PM “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” ¯ Thomas Aquinas Like     login   register

Coach Helke says: 8/21/2017 at 10:33:03 PM I also respond to a similar question above but felt I should respond to your comment also so you can be notified and receive the correct info you requested. First we have to address the fact that the above study quoted has been cited incorrectly not only in this article but by many "professional" mental skills specialists and organizations. Some say it was done at the University of Chicago, others The Ohio State University, and some even other universities. Yet none of them reference the exact study in their references. The reason – they are wrong. They are just regurgitating what they heard or read from someplace else. This is irresponsible. I as an active 25+yr sports coach and Certified Sports Psychology Coach (Ed.) reference and cross reference all research and provide correct citations to support and validate what I teach. For your FYI, the experiment was conducted by Australian psychologist Alan Richardson and reported in the Research Quarterly. Here is the correct research citation: RICHARDSON, Alan. “Mental Practice: A Review & Discussion Parts 1 & 2” Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Volume 38, Issue 1, 1967 Hope this helps! Like     login   register

I'm a sculptor. This technique works for just about everything you do.

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Where is the academic support of this study. I have not been able to find anything in the journals or in the literature to prove that this study ever took place. There is plenty of claims under blogs all over the internet that this study took place. Some even report the anecdotal evidence of Dr. Judd Blaslotto just reporting on this study, not actually involved in the study himself.
Dr. Judd Blaslotto is supposedly a champion weight lifter. Do you know where any info can be obtained about him, this study, his credentials, or any other info to support these claims?
I believe that visualization drills are highly effective, as I use them quite often in my own athletic, professional and personal endeavors. I am just tired of reading of unsubstantiated claims just to sell products.

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Coach Helke says: 8/21/2017 at 10:30:16 PM First we have to address the fact that the above study quoted has been cited incorrectly not only in this article but by many "professional" mental skills specialists and organizations. Some say it was done at the University of Chicago, others The Ohio State University, and some even other universities. Yet none of them reference the exact study in their references. The reason – they are wrong. They are just regurgitating what they heard or read from someplace else. This is irresponsible. I as an active 25+yr sports coach and Certified Sports Psychology Coach (Ed.) reference and cross reference all research and provide correct citations to support and validate what I teach. For your FYI, the experiment was conducted by Australian psychologist Alan Richardson and reported in the Research Quarterly. Here is the correct research citation: RICHARDSON, Alan. “Mental Practice: A Review & Discussion Parts 1 & 2” Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Volume 38, Issue 1, 1967 Hope this helps! Like     login   register

Depends, are you a player or coach?

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how do you handle a ball hog in highschool basketball?

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Visualization techniques work so well. I used this and have used an audio method as well. I got the audio method from Mental Champions. Keep up the great work!

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Anthony Robbins is quoting this study incorrectly to make a point. He stated that the group which visualized beat the group that practiced.

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I really like this drill.
I was taught in College to shoot with my eyes closed.
Make one with eyes open and get an image of goal in mind and close eyes and visualize the goal. It really made me a better feel shooter.
Thanks for the drill

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Give some tips on
How To Train my Mind?

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this is a good tool to use and it works. i know it because when i wrestled in school our coach told us to use it. this can also be used for doing one on one moves. when you shot or pump fake picture how your defender will react.

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the notes are very interesting and they are new to me , i have been playing basketball for high school and university team and i have never been lucky to get this kind of information , what was shared among us was just phisically and technically oriented , no time was given to the mental and the meotioanl side of the game which i see very important , now am a teacher of English in a junior high scholl and am a trainer for the school rteam , am very happy to share these notes and am sure they will help the kids improve their mastery of basketball! thank you so much , Med Salem Tiguit , Morocco

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