When a player performs a skill successfully in training, they lock in the mental image of it and can visualise it in a future competitive situation to remind themselves of this success. It can be internal, for example, visualising a successful shot and how it feels kinaesthetically. It can alternatively be external, for example, visualising your success as if by a spectator on TV.
Recreating an image of the action from a past performance during competition when the skill was performed successfully allows the player to recall the feel of the movements in the mind. Imagery can also involve the emotions associated with a successful action, for example, a basketball player who scores a free throw to win a close match would imagine the satisfaction and elation associated with that winning shot and use those emotions to build confidence for the current situation.
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