Sports performance training includes attention– learn why it is meaningful

Internal and external forces guide attention. Some influencers include emotions, capabilities, stimuli selection, interest, interpretation, coaches, awards, family, friends, community, and experiences. Training attention should be personalized because each athlete’s skill and background are different. Attention is significant because it directly influences decision-making and physical movement. For example, low concentration can generate low-quality performance because there is no specific task to execute. Further, an athlete focusing on awards, coaches, family, community, weather, and competitors would be distracted by uncontrollable factors. Thus developing attention can align the athlete to the task at hand, and the benefit is effective choices and movements.

Tips to improve your focus:

Clarity

It is essential that you bring clarity to sports activities because sports movements happen rapidly, and conditions of competition are continually changing.

Focus on things you can control

If you focus on the outcomes and external factors that are not in your control, you will create unnecessary anxiety. An athlete’s primary focus should be on the process that can increase the rate of positive outcomes and be prepared for any event.

Remain relaxed

Stressors in competition create energy, and the mind can make the situation negative or positive. So you need to learn a technique that can help you regain calm even when you’re under pressure. Taking deep breaths, relaxing muscles, and engaging in effective routines can keep stress levels lower. For example, listen to music that enhances your focus or using keywords and phrases that centre your mind on the controllable.

Use keywords

For any sports participant, keywords are terms or phrases that help you remember to focus on the immediate task. For example, a few common keywords include ‘relax,” play hard,” calm down,’ ‘smooth tempo,’ ‘balance,’ and ‘quick feet.’ The words will quickly remind you to regain concentration on the moment. The benefit is that the keywords release the tension that restricts the body’s movements.

Use mental imagery

When you start by picturing a precisely performed task, you are more likely to execute the job at a high level because your mind is preparing your body to act effectively. The visualization exercises begin before a sports event or during a routine.

Effective routines

Effective routines help you to maintain attention on the right things. Routines naturally prevent distraction and generate the state of mind that promotes relaxation, solid choices, and trust in your abilities. For instance, you can listen to music right before your game, practice a shot routine, review keywords, or prepare a warm-up exercise for when you arrive at the playing field. The performance rehearsals should be centred around calm breathing and visualization. Although this sounds simple developing attention, visualization, and relaxation can require professional guidance.