Visualization is a technique practiced by almost every elite athlete to help improve performance or manage competitive stress. Recent studies have even shown that visualization (or mental imagery) actually helps the brain build better neural circuitry ... which improves performance.
Wayne Rooney, the star forward for Manchester United and England, was recently quoted in an ESPN article about his use of imagery: "Part of my preparation is I go and ask the kit man what color we're wearing -- if it's red top, white shorts, white socks or black socks ... Then I lie in bed the night before the game and visualize myself scoring goals or doing well. You're trying to put yourself in that moment and trying to prepare yourself, to have a 'memory' before the game..."
Experts on visualization and imagery provide (among others) the following instruction:
More and more attention is being placed on the cognitive aspects of athletic performance, with some calling it "coaching's final frontier." The best athletes, next generation's stars, will use it to their advantage ...