| Mental preparation and rehearsal has become a major | | | | the playing field and for serious competitors much of |
| part of all sport in recent years. It's not to be | | | | the training now takes place in the mind long before |
| dismissed as some dark art or mystical fad. If | | | | the event. |
| anything, for snowboarding and other extreme | | | | Former world motor racing champion Damon Hill was |
| sports some mental rehearsal is even more important | | | | a great believer in these techniques and would |
| than for activities you might associate this with. | | | | famously complete his race in his head before even |
| For a beginner to snowboarding a key tip is to | | | | starting the engine of his car! He invested time |
| prepare yourself mentally for the strange | | | | leading up to an event to mentally rehearse and |
| environment you will find yourself in. Many beginners | | | | imagine steering every twist and turn of a track. As |
| have fear of falling over and either injuring | | | | a snowboarder you can apply the same technique. As |
| themselves or just looking stupid! By spending some | | | | a beginner use mental rehearsal to imagine yourself |
| quiet time in mental preparation you will genuinely | | | | confidently gliding down the slopes and imagine how |
| have a greater confidence which will lead you to | | | | good this feels. For more advanced snowboarders |
| balance, move and generally perform better. | | | | this tip can help you to progress to success in |
| At the recent Olympics you will have seen many | | | | complex tricks and moves. |
| athletes going through some rituals of preparation | | | | You will literally program your mind to achieve greater |
| before their race or event - be that on the track, in | | | | balance, speed and style and in the process find |
| the pool or on horseback. Modern advances in fitness | | | | increased enjoyment when you get out on the snow |
| training, nutrition and general wellbeing have levelled | | | | for real. |