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Great video! Really helps motivation when one understands the reasons why.
Quick question: many studies have shown that visualizations can result in the same kind of improvements in skill as physical practice. In your experience, does visualization build myelin in the same way as physical exercise? From what I understand, the brain cannot tell the difference between actually doing something and keenly imagining doing something. Okay, so maybe not a quick question.
Thanks for your thoughts and feedback!
Mark
That is a really good question Mark. I have read a bit on visualization, but I am not sure if it actually builds myelin. I am not sure there is even a way to test for that currently. This is one of the best questions I have gotten in a long time really. Sorry for my long rant. This is one of my favorite subjects, and no one ever asks about it, haha.
I do know is that parts of the brain have something called mirror neurons. When you see something happen, your brain reacts in a way as if it was yourself. This is why it would be helpful to watch elite players swings over and over. Just by watching you are relating yourself to that person and you feel like it is you. The more you watch and the stronger the relationship, the more it will feel real.
This is also, in part, why people feel happy when their favorite athlete wins something. It isn’t just because they like them as a person necessarily, but there is a pert of your brain that equates yourself with that athlete. When they win, you also feel like you really just won! A small part of your internal brain doesn’t know it isn’t you. This is why you will never see a low ranked player as one of the most popular athletes in a sport, since no one likes feeling like they are always losing. An exception is if they are very good looking. People also like to envision themselves as good looking, ha! It’s also why we cheer for people from our hometown, even though they may be jerks and we may not like them as a person.
I guess your real question is whether it grows myelin, which I don’t know. I do know it can help you unconsciously understand what to do and how to hit without necessarily knowing why or how you are doing it. This can also go the other way. When you play with poor players, you can pick up their bad habits and get worse. Like playing a pusher and you find yourself blocking everything back after 10 min.
On a slightly related note. Have you ever noticed how, when you tie yourself to one player/ team, you cannot relate with the other player? For example, lets say you are a Federer fan and he is playing Djokovic. If your mind thinks you are Federer, and Djokovic crushes a cross court forehand winner, you feel an immediate sharp jolt of anxiousness and desperation. For the entire match you will find that you align all of your instant feelings to just one player and you will only very rarely switch your feelings from one player to another. Even if you think Djokovic is a nice guy, your instant feelings will be tied to just one player and you will be happy or upset if you win or lose a point, even though you may not dislike the other player.
The only time this might not happen is when you are watching two un-knowns. You haven’t tied yourself to either. It could take a good portion of the match to choose a side, once you learn more about them. It may not happen at all in one match. This is why tv ratings are so low with low ranked players even though their skills are nearly indistinguishable to the average viewer. We don’t think we are playing and aren’t interested in watching if “we” aren’t in the match.
Interesting subject. Sorry I couldn’t be more help! I hope you play great this year!!
Clay
Good thoughts. I know that by watching RF over and over I feel more confident (and therefore more successful when trying) in some of the shots he uses. Currently trying to emulate his amazing drop shots, so if you’re looking for ideas…
On visualization, what is your feeling about that? I used to use it a lot when younger, and only started using it again. I do feel it helps, in conjunction with the shadow swings you advocate.
Thanks in large part to your videos, my game is definitely improving. At the tender age of 55, I have moved up to the 5.0 ranks this year, ranked 53rd nationally (Canada), and I’m giving fits to one of my playing partners, who moved up to the open category this year. While I haven’t won any 5.0 tournaments so far, I’m expecting to soon.
Thanks again,
Mark
Nice! I think watching the best, over and over, helps to get a good mental picture of what you want to do. I would pick a player like Federer, as you mentioned, who has amazing technique and stick with him!
Wow, that is great! It sounds like you are playing really well. Ideally I would recommend to visualize your entire motion and the resulting flight of the ball, even when doing shadow strokes. If you are feeling good, you should be able to visualize your entire shot before you ever start the forward swing. I have found even sitting in your living room and visualizing the shots that you struggle with, as you make shadow strokes if very helpful. For example you may do 100-300 drop shots every day and work on picturing the shot while checking the technique.
Good luck!!
Clay
Thanks Clay, I’ll try that and let you know how it goes. All the best for the new year.
Thank you. Good luck!
Clay
I read the talent code several years ago. My daughter wants to be a rock singer so I got her set up with Linda Septien, who was mentioned in the book. She has been with her several years now and her improvement has been unbelievable.
You are the first tennis coach I’ve seen who uses this system which is why I signed up with you. The only thing I would add is that all of the coaches talked about stopping players etc when they did it wrong and had them do it again properly which is what Linda does with Katie.. Love your method.
That is awesome! I was very curious about Linda after reading the book. I read up on her more after hearing about her in the book. Seems very interesting!
Thanks for the comment on stopping and correcting. Without that, the student is lost and searching, without knowing what to do. I agree 100%.
Have a great week!
Clay
Just wanted to say that I understand how hard it is to make videos and all that jazz so good job
Thank you Steve! Glad to have you on the team!
Clay
I’ve been a certified teaching pro for years and always interested in sports science and biomechanics. Also, as a retired educator, I like your approach to the learning modalities. Your teaching method makes sense and really ties into my learning/teaching style. Keep up the good work and I’m looking forward to getting into your “courses”.
Thanks a lot Wilbur, great to have you on the team! Will do!
Excellent video series and the myth of the super athlete was delicious icing on a tasty cake.
I had read the Talent book (outstanding) and your system really builds on it.
The use of videos is such a necessity to self learning; (I found an inexpensive iPhone holder).
I cannot believe how I thought I was doing something to look at the video and be shocked to see that I was not.
PS I am not a golfer, but have recommended my son check out your golf site.
Thanks a lot John. I love that book. It really helps to put some science on what we need to do to improve at anything.
I hope your playing great!
This should be the first video to watch before starting
Great work
Thanks Serge!
Thanks for this wonderful video. We tend to put our athletes into godlike roles. Becoming all we can be takes tremendous work and energy. I appreciate your input I work very hard on improving my tennis. My struggle is the serve. There are so many parts that make up a good serve. I tend to focus on one area get it down and then another area breaks down. At times it is like trying to put fires out. I must believe that my hard work will pay off by persistence. I did find a hitch in my serve that was a spectacular find. It revolved around not being relaxed at a certain point in my serve not allowing my body to flow through the motion.
Thanks a lot Louis! I am glad you liked the video!
What you are mentioning is all part of the learning process. Pieces will constantly break down for the rest of your life. Same with the pros. Real improvement feels like constantly putting out fires. What will happen over time, is that all of those individual pieces will start to meld together. At that time, the stroke will feel a lot more subconscious and automatic. To get to that point is a real grind though.
I would start at the beginning of the serve section and work through all of levels and drills, one at a time.
Truly Brilliant video Clay. I can not tell you enough about the difference that you have made in my game so far. The future of my game seems bright and the enjoyment of it…even better.
Thanks again Zar!! I appreciate that!