If this isn't proof enough, more than 200 hundred 'studies show that imagery is effective in improving performance across a wide variety of sports (Martin, Moritz, & Hall 1999). When carefully scrutinized, the bulk of the evidence clearly supports the idea that a combination of physical practice and imagery is more effective than physical practice alone. Imagery by itself is less effective than physical practice, but better than no practice. Imagery works best when it supplements, not replaces, physical practice (Hird Landers, Thomas, & Horan 1991). In addition to augmenting physical practice, imagery can be used to maintain sport skills when athletes are unable to practice physically. Imagery is an effective learning strategy for fatigued athletes, because it allows them to practice mentally with good form rather than physically with poor form. Injured athletes can use imagery to keep their game skills sharp so that they are better able to play with confidence upon their return. And because imagery can be done almost anywhere at any time, it can even be used when bad weather rules out physical practice