Hypnosis in sports is simply using hypnosis to enhance sports performance. Hypnosis is a short term, trance-like condition, in which the individual is extremely susceptible to suggestion. For instance, a hypnotized individual who is told that she can not jump will act as if she is glued to the ground. Generally people enter a hypnotic state with the help of a hypnotist, although some people are capable of self-hypnosis. Only trained professional should induce a deep hypnotic state. Self-hypnosis can also be a useful to the athletes with proper training.

The use of hypnosis in sports can be useful, but it does have limitations. In case studies of the use of hypnosis in sports, athletic performance indicate that most athletes do benefit from hypnosis, although not all people can be hypnotized. Individuals vary in their susceptibility to hypnosis. Anywhere from 5-10 % of people is highly susceptible to being hypnotized, while an equal range of individuals have little or no susceptibility to hypnosis at all. The majority of individuals fall into the 80-90% range of moderate susceptibility to hypnosis.

The greatest use of hypnosis in sports has been in pain management. Pain can be reduced or eliminated with the successful use of hypnosis. By refocusing the subconscious mind to ignore, or manage pain, the athlete is able to perform at a higher level, and achieve goals that had previous seemed impossible.

Some athletes use hypnosis in sports to get in the “zone,” or to achieve the level of concentration that brings them to their maximum competitive ability. This increased focus on the game can make the individual a better athlete, and a better team player. This is the kind of focus that can make the difference between winning and losing.

Hypnosis in sports can be used in exercising and power conditioning. Personal abilities increased or decreased with hypnotic suggestion even though the actual physical workload is maintained at a constant level. Hypnosis in sports can give the athlete the inter-confidence to enhance workouts, and increase actual sports performance when it really counts, on game day.