FLOW (IN THE ZONE)

Flow has recently being getting a lot of attention lately, well through the channels that I do my research in anyway.

Flow refers to subconsciously being "on" where everything goes perfect for you with little effort.

I'm sure most of us have experienced it within games at some point where you "have it on a string" or "have a purple patch."

Whatever you label it it's actually called flow.

It's pretty much what Jack Riewoltd was in this past Saturday kicking 10.6.

It's till unclear how to definitely put this into practice (it's highly specific to each person) but here's some tips from powerlifter Ben Pollack who runs through this sequence before a personal best attempt to prepare himself as best he can to complete it.

#1 - For 2 – 3mins sit/lie quietly taking deep breathes consisting of 5 second inhalation where your focus in on oxygen entering the body followed by a 5 second exhalation, focusing on the sense of calm building in your body for 5 full breathes

#2 - Become aware of your physical senses (taste, smell, feel) and how your feet feel against the floor (hopefully light)

#3 - Recall a time when you were completely in the zone and you were at your best and try to remember how you felt at that time, filling your body with that sensation starting at a spot just above your head and working down through your head, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, back, abs, legs and feet. Then draw the sensation back up in the reverse order

#4 - Take 1 last breathe in/out and open your eyes

You could use this prior to the game and then at quarter, half and three quarter time breaks and you could easily put a quicker version of this together in your goal kicking routine.

I'll endeavor to post a more comprehensive blog on this in the near future.