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How important is it to visualize when doing high jump?

Visualization is a key part to your success in high jump. Many elite athletes use visualization techniques to gain a competitive edge over their competitors and to train their body and mind to execute the necessary movements that will allow them to perfect their approach, take-off and clearance over the bar.

Typically, you will see videos of elite high jumpers at the beginning of their run mentally rehearsing all of the phases to perfect the jump and clear the bar. This rehearsal also increases the athlete’s self-confidence as they can turn their visual intentions into an action that will happen in reality.

There are a few ways you can use visualization to your advantage.These include:

Visual (Using mental images and pictures of future events)
Auditory (Blocking or thriving off the roar of the crowd)
Kinaesthetic (How the body feels)

How can you use visualization to jump higher in high jump?

You can use visualization to improve in the following ways.

1.You can see the bar low.

For many high jumpers that want to break a plateau, they will often get psyched out at the thought that a bar is too high. This puts doubt and fear into the athlete’s mind. This will work against the athlete and they will fail their attempt before they have even begun their approach.

For the athlete to boost their confidence, they need to see the bar as low as possible and imagine themselves jumping over the bar by executing the phases in the high jump.

It doesn’t matter if the bar is at 1m, 2m or 2.40m. Always see the bar low so that you will have the confidence to clear it.

2. Mentally rehearse your high jump phases.

Successful high jumpers execute each phase of the high jump to clear higher heights. In their training sessions leading up to their competition, they will continually practice, repeat and rehearse each phase of the high jump to the point that it feels natural to the athlete. They should be able to rehearse the movements in their mind prior to each attempt, which will give them the best chance to clear the bar.

3. See yourself winning.

Successful high jumpers never see themselves as athletes that aren’t on the winners podium. Visualise each phase of the competition and what it takes to win those competitions.

Don’t underestimate the power of visualization when it comes to doing high jump. It is the first step to successfully achieving your high jumping goals and soaring to new heights.

Here’s a video where a high jumper explains the benefits of visualisation training with her coach.

Malaysian high jumper Lee Cup Wei explained how he uses visualisation and thrives off the crowd to excel in his high jump performance.
Are there any visualisation techniques that you like to use?

Share them in the comment section below.

Bonus

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