Visualization

Visualization is a very important element of skydiving training. The time we have in free fall to practice our sport is so short we are left with visualization as the only practical option for repetitive training. Repetitive training is necessary to make your skills and knowledge of a sequence automatic. To perform at the high end of your ability you must be able to let go of conscious thought and allow your performance to come automatically. The amount of readiness to perform at this level can come only from strong visualization skills and the trust-in-self they bring.

Have a system, a process of what, how, and when you visualize. Each of the members of Airspeed has their own system. Your system should be unique and specific to you. Spend time thinking about what you do and how well it works. Talk with your friends and coach about what they do. Gather as much information as possible and then begin to experiment. From this information create a visualization plan of your own. Write it down. After working your plan for a while you may choose to adjust it but you will have a process of visualization you can apply to all of your skydiving.

To help you begin to put together a plan of your own we will look at some of the key elements you might find in an Airspeed member’s process.

Repetition: many repetitions over the same sequence. It requires an immense quantity of repetitions to make a skydive automatic. Visualizing should begin directly after the dirt dive and continue at regular intervals until the actual skydive. Working the next days skydives at home puts you ahead of the game. Working the next weeks skydives throughout the week, even further. The diligence of this work distinguishes the accomplished skydiver.

Relaxation: frequent periods of relaxation between sessions. Relaxing between bouts of visualization will help lessen anxiety. When a sequence is difficult to remember allowing your mind to relax is often all that’s necessary. A relaxed mind thinks much faster and clearer than a tight, anxious mind. Also, visualizations done in a relaxed state are more vivid and powerful making them more productive to your training.

Calm: engender a calm mind and the proper arousal level. Calmness is key to skydiving well. The proper arousal level is critical to peak performance. Use your visualization time to practice these optimum states of mind.

Multiple points of view: viewing the skydive from your own perspective, the camera man’s and even a teammate’s. The more we can know about what is supposed to be happening in a sequence the better we will perform. Being able to see the entire jump, understand everyone’s job, and perceive the overall flow of the dive is critical. This ability, which requires a lot of training and a large amount of familiarity, will enable you to react to changes as they happen and remember difficult non-repeating sequences with ease.

Slow motion: seeing the entire skydive in slow motion while analyzing all the details. This gives you the time to look closely at the specifics of the jump without feeling rushed. Beware; a slow motion session should not be done close to the actual jump due to its lack of realism. Remember, to perform well it is necessary to let go of details and trust that they will come from you automatically. Look at the details during your slow motion session and then let them go. There is far too much happening far too quickly to hold in the front of your mind this kind of detail while skydiving.

Fast forward: viewing the skydive at twice the speed it will actually occur in order to stretch your anticipation abilities and increase confidence. Anticipation, like a muscle’s flexibility will grow if stretched. Pushing your abilities by pushing the pace in your visualization will help you develop greater anticipation. Viewing the skydive in fast forward can also build confidence. “If I can remember the sequence at this pace the skydive is going to be easy.” Like slow motion visualization, fast forward is not realistic and should not be practiced too close to the jump.

Real time: repetitions at actual speed done to make the sequence, timing, and details completely automatic. Your mind should be working just as you would like it to in freefall. It is here that you practice the correct arousal level, anticipation, distraction control, and all the mental disciplines of a great performance. This should be the bulk of your visualization where the real work gets done.

Positive: always see the jump working the way you planned it to. Our mind has the uncanny ability to create precisely what it sees. We must be careful not to visualize our fears. Visualize only what you want to happen. It’s your mind, choose what you think!

Process: a set process executed the same each jump regardless of that jumps type or importance. Having this process be the same each jump is very powerful. It ensures you have prepared thoroughly every time. It also gives you a well-developed routine, which will give you confidence when the jump is very important. Airspeed develops routine and relies heavily on it for consistent performance under pressure.

Be intentional with your preparation. Develop a system that works for you and work it every time you jump.  Constantly improve your visualization skills. These skills will play a major part in your improvement as a skydiver.