Sports hypnotherapy · Steve Pastor
Build a pre-game routine you can rehearse
Think of your last free throw at training. Where were your eyes just before you let the ball go? That detail is where I’d start a hypnosis session.
Find the few seconds that belong to you
A score, a crowd and a referee can all be part of the scene. Bring the moment down to something you can actually practise. For a basketballer, that might be the space between receiving the ball and taking the shot. For a swimmer, it might be placing their feet on the block. Where does your sequence begin?
Choose a cue in your own words
Suppose your answer is “stay focused”. Focused on what? Perhaps you pick out the back of the rim, take one bounce and feel the ball settle in your hands. Try describing those few seconds to a teammate. The words that come naturally are the ones I’d bring into the hypnosis.
Rehearse the approach in trance
In a private session, I invite you to bring your attention to the scene you chose. You might see the rim clearly or find it easier to feel the weight of the ball. We can work with either. Imagine hearing the whistle, finding your spot and taking the shot at your usual pace. If a detail feels wrong, tell me. We can change it and run the sequence again.
Take it onto the court
On your next visit to the line, use the cue once. Afterwards, ask yourself two separate questions. Did I follow my routine? Where did the ball go? A shot can miss even when you followed the routine you chose. Knowing which part you actually did gives you something precise to work on at the next session.