concentration

• broad internal focus


  focusing on own thoughts and feelings

  eg. sprinter about to start a race
• broad external focus


  focusing outwards on an opponents actions

  eg. watching an opponent try to make a fast break in cycling
• narrow internal focus


  used to focus thoughts and mentally rehearse upcoming movements

  eg. a gymnast or driver just before they perform their movement
• narrow external focus


  used to focus on very few external cues

  eg. watching cricket ball come at you as a batsman
• ways to improve concentration

  simulation training

  -to sharpen selective attention, and helps shut out irrelevant cues

  routines

  -bring structure to performance whilst ensuring attention is focussed on present task-related cues

  over-learing skills

  -so they are autonomous performers so attention can be elsewhere
• choking 


  -occurs when athletes sense a build up of pressure​

  -Increased pressure causes attention shifts to become internal and narrow and focus thus narrows​

  -characterised by impaired timing/co-ordination, fatigue, muscle tension, negative self-talk, decreased selective attention
• concentration definition

  focus on environment

  -known as selective attention

  -enables players to block out irrelevant distractions, such as spectators and noise

  staying focused over time

  -maintaining focus over an extended period of time

  -not allowing concentration lapses to occur

  situational awareness

  -being able to quickly evaluate the game situation, opponents and other environmental factors

  -being able to make the correct decision under pressure