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Is There a Perfect Technique in Sport?
Elite athletes performing the same skill often move differently, and a technique that suits one athlete may not suit another. The aim of coaching is to improve an athlete's own movement, not to copy somebody else's.
Why does technique differ between athletes?
Technique is shaped by anatomy, strength, mobility, coordination, experience and the demands of the sport. Runners have different strides, tennis players have different service actions, and golfers develop swings that reflect their own build and habits. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal hit forehands with markedly different grips and swings, and both won at the highest level. The analyst John Yandell (2006) made the same observation, noting that the two share some features, including a straight hitting arm. Successful technique is individual, which is why the best coaching builds on your own movement.
Who decides what to change?
Improving a movement draws on informed observation, technical knowledge and feedback, and coaches lead that process. Physiotherapists and other qualified professionals contribute when movement, injury or rehabilitation is involved. My part begins where theirs leaves off: once your coach has decided what to change, I help you rehearse it.
How can mental rehearsal support a change?
Suppose a swimmer’s coach identifies a change to the timing of the stroke. The swimmer practises the adjustment in the pool, receives feedback and works towards a more consistent execution. Between sessions, the swimmer rehearses the intended sequence mentally, imagining the movement from a first-person perspective and attending to the rhythm, position and sensation of each phase. Under hypnosis, that rehearsal becomes a structured session of deep, focused attention. The imagery matches the movement the coach wants, and as the swimmer’s technique develops and the coach gives new feedback, I revise the rehearsal to match.
A practical question to ask your coach
If you are working on a change, ask your coach to describe it in one sentence you can repeat to yourself. That sentence becomes the heart of your rehearsal. The full method is in Build a Mental Rehearsal Plan for Your Sport.
Research & Further Reading
- Yandell, J. (2006). Rafael Nadal's Forehand. TennisPlayer.
More in this series
- Practice Makes Permanent: Why Instruction Matters
- Hypnosis and Mental Rehearsal for Athletes
- How Small Gains Add Up: A Marathon Calculation
- Sports Hypnosis Beyond Confidence
- Build a Mental Rehearsal Plan for Your Sport
To find out whether this approach suits your sport, see sports hypnotherapy in Melbourne.
Part of the series on mental rehearsal in sport. Return to the guide.