Basketball Visualization Techniques

Visualizing hitting the game-winning shot will increase the chances it will go in.

Professional basketball players spend months preparing for their season, yet there are only a few moments during competition when they feel like they’re “in the zone.” On the court, hoopers have little or no influence over the court and basket conditions, their opponents' skill level or other factors affecting their performance.

The ultimate hack to becoming comfortable within uncertain environments is visualization. When you visualize, you are in total control. You set the opportunity to experience success by realizing your mental images.

The more you can visualize successful basketball performance, the greater the potential to achieve it. The key is ensuring you fully engage your four key senses of sight, sound, touch and even smell—to making it feel real.

Here are some tips for creating impactful mental images:

• Start simply by visualizing a basketball. Imagine how it feels, the sound of it slapping back-and-forth in your hands and how it smells when you hold it close to your nose

• Visualize in the first person by imagining yourself on the court, or in the third person by imagining another person with the basketball

• See and feel yourself performing how you want to in a game situation. Rehearse only positive results. Fully immerse yourself in the emotions you would experience when performing successfully.

• Practice. Mentally rehearsing successful skill execution, such as hitting a game-winning shot, can provide your subconscious mind with positive memories, increase confidence and enhance preparedness when the time comes