Prep Like a Blue Angels Pilot
The Blue Angels are the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron that is composed of some of the greatest fighter pilots in the world. The shows they put on demonstrate the incredible skill and precision of the pilots, as they fly just a few feet apart from one another going up to 700 miles per hour. The slightest mistake can be disastrous.
How do these pilots, at the top of their field, prepare for a show?
Before their shows the leader of the squadron talks the pilots through a visualization exercise of each and every maneuver they will make that day. The pilots sit there silently, many with eyes closed, moving their hands to control the imaginary plane, vividly picturing what they personally will see and do in the plane during the show.
This video provides an example of the technique in action:
This peak performance technique can be applied to any team sport (and many individual sports as well). To practice it, have the coach get the team together and close their eyes. The nature of this technique also allows for it to be practiced virtually via the phone or video conference if the team can’t be together in the same location.
Once the players are focused with their eyes closed, the coach verbally guides them through the events while each player vividly imagines what they personally will be doing in that situation. Here are a few examples to give you an idea of how to use the technique.
Football
Coach says, “Offensive huddles up. Quarterback calls, ‘Chicago 52’ play to be run. Offense breaks huddle and lines up. Quarterback calls, ‘hut, hut, hike’. Ball is snapped. Linebacker blitz coming. Quarterback rolls right. Throws pass to wide receiver. Receiver catches it, breaks one tackle and runs another five yards before being pushed out of bounds.”
Dance
Coach says, “Dancers standing backstage waiting for prior team to finish up. Prior dance completed. Team announced. Dancers take places on stage.” Then the coach turns on the music as the dancers vividly imagine their performance.
Baseball
Coach says, “Runners on first and second, one out. Pitcher throws fastball. Batter makes solid contact, hits ground ball between second baseman and second base. Second baseman scoops up ball, flips to shortstop who steps on bag with left foot and throws to first for double-play.”
Try this technique out this week!
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