ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information on mental imagery so that coaches can provide training in this skill for athletes. Mental imagery has been defined as “those quasi-sensory and quasi-perceptual experiences of which people are self-consciously aware and which exist for people in the absence of those stimulus conditions that are known to produce their genuine sensory perceptual counterparts”. The title “mental imagery” might infer that imagery only includes images of what an athlete wants to achieve. The athletes engaged in imagery during competition and training but imaged more prior to competing. They used imagery to help themselves learn new skills or tactics, regulate their arousal levels, or improve confidence. Mental imagery appears to have a number of benefits, so it is a useful psychological skill that coaches could train their athletes in. It is important that coaches have an understanding regarding how a mental imagery intervention might help an athlete’s sporting performance.
