Learning – the imagery should be continually adapted and reviewed over time to match changing task demands and the experience level of the athlete. For example, a footballer may wish to ‘slow motion’ image a particularly tricky piece of footwork. Timing – the most functionally equivalent approach is to image in ‘real time’, but ‘slow motion’ imagery can be used to emphasise and perfect more difficult aspects of a skill (O & Hall, 2009). a novice footballer should avoid imagining an elite level player as it is not as functionally equivalent). attentional demands) and image at the appropriate level of expertise for the performer (i.e. Task – try to image details relevant to the task (e.g. For example, a footballer would image dressed in their kit with the football at their feet.Įnvironment – if possible, image in the environment where the performance takes place e.g. Physical – image the relevant physical characteristics. Using the example of a footballer, the specific details to include would be: PETTLEP is an acronym which stands for 7 key elements to include during imagery to create the most functionally equivalent image possible. a greater degree of functional equivalence), it may help to add more detail to the image and enhance the vividness of the image. It is suggested that if there is a greater similarity between the image and the physical movement (i.e. This is defined as “functional equivalence” and is hypothesised as the means by which imagery can improve performance. The model is based on work by Jeannerod (1994 1997) which proposes that there are certain shared areas in the brain that are activated during both physical and imagined movements. So how does imagery actually lead to such performance benefits? In 2001, Holmes and Collins proposed a model of imagery that highlights the link between physical and imagined movements. He talks about how he listened to a pre-recorded imagery script (another method of employing imagery) before the 2003 World Cup Final: I imagine the game”.įormer England rugby international fly-half, Jonny Wilkinson, also uses imagery as an important mental preparation technique. When I construct those plays in my mind I take into account whether one team-mate likes to receive the ball at his feet, or ahead of him if he is good with his head, and how he prefers to head the ball if he is stronger on his right or his left foot. So what I do, always before a game, always, every night and every day, is try and think up things, imagine plays, which no one else will have thought of, and to do so always bearing in mind the particular strength of each team-mate to whom I am passing the ball. “When I train, one of the things I concentrate on is creating a mental picture of how best deliver the ball to a teammate, preferably leaving him alone in front of the rival goalkeeper. For example, Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho employs imagery for game preparation and strategy purposes: Imagery is popular among all athletes, from grassroots level up to elite sports personalities. It is also beneficial for use as a coping strategy, maintaining existing skills, and reviewing past performances (Thelwell & Maynard, 2002 White & Hardy, 1998). Imagery is a psychological technique which has demonstrated its effectiveness in sport through positively affecting psychological states, such as decreasing anxiety and enhancing self-confidence, self-efficacy and concentration (Garza & Feltz, 1998 Post & Wrisberg, 2012). Imagery has been described as “an experience that mimics real experience, and involves using a combination of different sensory modalities in the absence of actual perception” (Cumming & Ramsey, 2009, p.5).