So I was watching sportcenter the other day. And Lou Holtz was talking about an experiment that was performed. It was something like... Group A was told to practice 100 free throws (for basketball) everyday for a month. Group B was told to picture shooting 100 free throws in their heads everyday for a month, to mentally focus on an image of themselves shooting a basket and having the ball go in. Group C was told to do nothing. In the end Group C didnt improve..obviously, they actually digressed. But surprisingly, Group A didn't improve anymore then Group B did. So my question is. Is this an actual experiment with actual gains? or just a confucionist fable like story? Just for fun, I have been picturing doing footwork or smashing or dropping or etc. for the last few days. your thoughts?
Yop, I think about playing badminton quite alot, especially when I'm very bored. It helps if I watch some pro's play ( ie: on youtube ).
sometimes i visualize deceptive shots in my mind and sometimes even try to come up with new ones (meaning ones i've never employed). i believe it does help because when it comes to the real thing on court, i've already 'practised' numerous times.
mental imagery. sometimes it can be as effective as a real practice, and sometimes it won't. it depends on how strong your mental strength is, and how it affects you during games.
i reckon it is worthwhile thinking about the game a little off the courts. what i've found useful is thinking about: 1) why i've lost/won a particular game, what lessons to learn 2) tactics/formation 3) shot selection when playing with/against different people 4) or just reliving recent/past glories!
Interesting. I believe that it is very individual how each of us learn, personally I learn much better if I give self the time to think through and imagine all the details of the movement, rather than just jump directly into a lot of excises.
If you think about it enough, it becomes something like imprinted in your mind and you just remember the exact steps on how to do things I guess.
And Shaq has thrown over 100 free throws in games, I don't think he's getting any better either haha.
I don't really imagine myself doing the actual swing repeatedly. I usually think a lot about why I lost, weaknesses and strategies used. I need to compile my reasoning and make them into natural reactions for situations. I don't want to reinvent the wheel every time during a game. During off court time I think about what I want to improve the next time I go back on court and make short term goals for each session.
i've actually heard of this story, just group a playing 50% of before, group b playing 125% of before, and group c playing 200% of before.. but of course.. this was told for religious reasons.. i personally believe it works, and i actually do it.. and it helps me focus during games.. and imagining the shot that im about to make
