Sport Imagery and the Development of Accuracy in Sepak Takraw Competition

Abstract

This article synthesizes existing knowledge on sport imagery to explain its role in enhancing skill accuracy and concentration under real competitive pressure in Sepak Takraw. It highlights the effects of mental rehearsal on focus, confidence, and movement precision. The findings from content analysis show indicate that realistically designed imagery with functional equivalence to actual performance can activate motor neural systems, enhance movement sequencing, improve situational anticipation, and strengthen tactical decision-making. Consequently, it leads to greater accuracy, more stable concentration, increased confidence, sharper decision-making, and improved performance consistency during competition. When applied to key Sepak Takraw skills—including serving, setting, spiking, blocking, and receiving or hooking the ball—sport imagery assists in determining position, direction, and timing; visualizing ball trajectory and landing points; controlling force, impact angle, and ball flight; accelerating perceptual game-reading; and organizing the “observe–move–approach” sequence safely. This contributes to reducing errors and minimizing the risk of injury.

Furthermore, integrating imagery with physical training before, during, and after competition—through imagery scripts, breathing regulation, multisensory cues, and real-game contexts—can holistically enhance athletes’ performance potential. It also serves as an important approach for advancing toward high-level competitive standards at both national and international levels. It is recommended that systematic sport imagery programs be designed and integrated into training to improve the accuracy of Sepak Takraw skills, thereby supporting effectiveness in achieving precision, competitive success, and overall performance excellence.