Introducing Sport Psychology

I've had an interest in the mental skills training done by sport psychologists for a couple of years. I have made it a goal to read a few books on the subject so I can apply some of the principles to my trianing and to my life.

I've been using two techniques so far. One is called visualization. I lay in bed at night before going to sleep and stay in bed in the morning before rising for a few minutes while I create the images of my successful juggling of hard tricks. The idea is to create as much perfection in my head as is possible because the neural-muscular pathways are stimulated while doing these visualizations. It's hard to tell if this technique is working like they say it will, but I do know that somehow my level of expectations has risen and I think that alone is enough to warrent continuing use of this technique. High expectations often lead to high results.

The second technique is called positive self-talk or affirmations. This is where you say encouraging things to yourself while you practice or perform. I have come up with two positive statements so far.

1. I expect the balls to land in my hands.
2. I expect the balls to go where I intend them to.

The hope for me is to develop as sense of mastery and control over the balls while I juggle. I have seen an immediate improvement in my attempts at 4-Ball Mill's Mess.

Again, it doesn't matter to me HOW positive self-talk works just as long as it works!

That's all for now. Talk to you soon.