Imagery and the Umpire

by Joel Balberman

The use of imagery or mental rehearsal by athletes in the world of sports is well known and commonly written about. Imagery is also used by performers in the arts as a means to enhance performance and boost self-confidence. Often it is not until an athlete has learned to employ imagery that he/she starts to approach his/her full potential in their chosen sport. Many sports national teams now employ full-time sports psychologists to assist athletes in planning their mental practice and to help to map out a training program that employs both the mental and the physical elements necessary to excel.

Imagery, mental practice or visualization has been defined as "reliving or creating an experience in your mind". We have the ability as human being, through the power of the brain and the central nervous system, to either remember or even fabricate events and create a mental picture of them. It is more than just a visual re-creation that takes place. All the senses are called into play to enhance the image. Even your emotional response to the experience can be called up and used.

As sports officials, we must examine the use of imagery to see what is in it for us. We study the mechanics and positioning needed to perform to the best of our ability. We must also use our abilities in imagery to allow us:

to prepare for games,
to practise our skills while away from the diamond,
visualize situations that may occur on the diamond that we have never seen before,
replay situations in an effort to learn from our mistakes,
to put ourselves into game situations and see ourselves dealing with them effectively,
to simulate our surroundings during games,
to more effectively read the rule book and learn the proper application of the rules.

In using imagery, an umpire can learn to:

control emotional responses by seeing yourself maintaining control in stressful situations and imagine yourself handling the problem effectively
improve concentration during a game by practising how to focus attention and help prepare mentally before a game
build greater confidence by allowing an umpire to gain game experience through mental practice
strengthen and correct performance by reinforcing and polishing your skills
understand the rules more fully than can ever be possible by just reading the rule book

What are the different types of imagery that an umpire can employ?

Imagery can be divided into two types: internal and external. In external imagery, you are outside your body, watching yourself as if you were watching a video or movie. When the imagery is internal, you see things from your own eyes using your eyes as the lenses of the camera. Both types of imagery have value; in one you are the performer, and in the other you are the observer. Both types should be employed, rather than using one exclusively.

When can an umpire employ imagery? Imagery can be used at almost any time, but is usually most effective when used:

before a game in order to prepare for an assignment
after a game in order to replay calls and situations that you were not fully satisfied with
during breaks in the action, such as between half-innings or if an injury or other problem delays your game
at home or any other quiet place where you can complete the imagery uninterrupted

Work to make the images you create vivid and controllable. Use imagery at times of relaxed concentration. Believe that mental practice can help you to improve your game as an umpire. See yourself performing in a positive and correct manner in your imagery.

Let me relate one story that shows the power of imagery as it applies to a real-life example. It is the story or a POW in Vietnam, who survived years of imprisonment in a tiny cage. Most men would have gone mad in less trying circumstances, but this POW had a secret that allowed him to survive. Every day, he visited the golf course and he played 18 holes. He didn't just play the holes, he re-created the entire experience: his grip on the handle of the club, the wind, walking up the fairway, the smell of the grass, the clouds in the sky, the sound of the club striking the ball, the pin placements. The most minute details were an integral part of each round. As a result of his mental powers, he was able to withstand the enormous stresses of his ordeal, and survived until his liberation from the camp. He attributed his survival to his daily rounds of golf.

This story in itself is amazing. What is even more incredible was what happened when he finally stepped onto a golf course to play an actual round, after many years of not even holding a club. He shot a score that many golfers would envy, just several strokes over par in the low 80's, an even better score than he ever shot in the days, years before, that he played the game frequently. This is the most striking account of the power of imagery that I have ever heard.

"Motivation is what gets you started; habit is what keeps you going."

For a detailed discussion of imagery and the sports official, see "Psychology of Officiating" (Leisure Press, 1990) by Robert Weinberg and Peggy Richardson

Joel Balberman lives in Brantford, Ontario. For more information on him [Click Here].

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