"Thanks, Aaron!"

-By Dave Cross

One of the biggest challanges I've faced over the years in teaching our mental training methods to young athletes has been getting them to accept the fact that visualization isn't "weird", "stupid", or any of the other terms kids use to describe things that are outside of their personal "comfort zone".

As with any concept you are trying to teach, it always helps to be able to give them examples they can relate to.

Well, thanks to Green Bay Packer's quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, I have now another excellent teaching tool to add to my arsenal!

In an article in the USA Today by Jim Corbett, this past Wednesday, January 19th, Rodgers talks about how visualizing helped him to have an excellent game in last weekend's playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons:

"In the sixth grade, a coach taught us about the importance of visualization," Rodgers said. "When I'm in a meeting, watching film or laying in bed before I go to sleep, I always visualize making those plays.

"A lot of those plays I made in the game, I had thought about. As I laid on the couch, I visualized making them."

"It wasn't like I surprised myself," Rodgers said. "I was surprised by the ability to be as accurate as I was on the run at times. But the plays I made in the pocket where I was able to avoid sacks, I visualized the majority before I made them."

Ok, coaches:  There you have it!  If visualizing works for an elite NFL quarterback, how can your players tell you "it doesn't work", or it's "corny"?

I always point out to players that the only way visualizing won't help them to improve their game and move closer toward reaching their true potential is if they refuse to do it.

I suggest you print this out and make copies for every player in your program and ask them this very simple, but to-the-point question:

"If you aren't willing to do everything you can to become the best player you can possibly be, then why are you even playing?"

It'll be very hard for them to answer you.

You'll see the "wheels turning" in their heads.

And, please, don't let even one of them get away with telling you, "it just doesn't work for me."

Baloney Sauce!!!!

Although we all know, that how people visualize in their minds, what they see, how colorful it  is, etc., varies with the individual,  it will help anyone who commits to doing it on a regular basis.

And, the more someone visualizes, the better they get at it.  The easier it is for them to do.
The clearer and more colorful the images get.  The easier it is to feel the emotion and energy of the situation.

Here's a little point I make at every camp when I am introducing the concept:

I tell the players to close their eyes.

Then I say, "I want you to picture your favorite boy right now!"  (Or girl if you are working with males)

They can do it almost immediately.  You'll see grins come to their faces, and you'll hear some giggles or chuckles.

I then point out to them that the reason they can do this so quickly and easily is that they
have practiced "seeing" this person's face in their mind over and over so often that they
can bring that image up in their mind in a split second.

Seeing themselves performing perfectly in a big match is no different.  The more they do it, the easier it becomes for them!

Try this with your players.

Maybe soon, you'll be saying "Thanks, Aaron!", too!!


-Dave Cross
National Director
Yes I Can Volleyball

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