VISUALISATION
Lizzy uses visualisation to her advantage when racing
In 2015 Lizzy Foreman took part in the Mini Transat and hopes to race in the Vendee Globe one day. In this series the experienced racer takes us on a journey through the lives of racing sailors looking at the challenge these men and women face. This month Lizzy looks at the role of visualisation in improving performance.
It is now widely accepted that to achieve your true potential in sport, it is essential to train mentally as well as physically.
In the July 2016 issue of All At Sea, I discussed the importance of being able to balance the rational and emotional mind in order to cope with environmental, physical, competitive and personal stressors while out sailing and racing; a skill known as ‘mental toughness’.
This month, I discuss the role of visualisation in improving your performance on the water.
Visualisation is a skill that allows you to use your thoughts, reactions and emotional sensations to your advantage in high-pressure situations.
Visualisation can be used for:
- Training and rehearsal, to improve skill level in boat handling and tactics
- Psyching up for a race or training session
- Building confidence in high-pressure situations (such as on the start line, mark roundings, leading the fleet)
- Recovering from a mistake (allowing you to stay focused in the present)
- Relaxation when feeling anxious
- Recovering from an injury
The idea of visualisation is to mentally rehearse a process (such as tacking) rather than an outcome (winning a race).
Mental rehearsal of a perfect performance not only consolidates learning but acts as a confidence boost – allowing you to react more quickly and efficiently in high pressure situations.
Visualisation can help lead to winning performances on the water. Image: Pedro Martinez/Sailing Energy/Isaf
How to visualise
There are two types of visualisation: internal and external. Both can be focused on a past performance or imagination of a future success.
Internal visualisation requires you to visualise a skill or event from your own perspective, as if you were sailing your boat. This is the view you would see if wearing a go-pro on your head or chest.
External visualisation requires you visualise the skill or event from somebody else’s perspective; this would be the view seen from a coach boat or spectator.
Visualisation is a skill which can be developed with a few minutes’ practice each day:
- In a quiet area, focus on your breathing by taking a few slow, deep breaths
- Begin to imagine how you will perform during a certain process or situation
- Focus on performing successfully; re-enforcing correct technique
- Rehearse the same thing several times
- Engage as many senses as possible
- Try speeding things up and slowing them down
- Imagine performing the same process in a competitive environment, incorporating any coping strategies you may need to deal with emotional stressors
Watching videos of professional sailors performing a maneouvere can help you to re-enforce the use of correct technique in your own boat.
Good luck. You have now got an excuse to day dream!
References:
Mental and Physical Fitness for Sailing by Alan Beggs, John Derbyshire and John Whitmore
thefinalbeat.com
