Forrester PE Dept

Mental Factors

Concentration/Focus

 

Concentration/Focus

 

Definition

Concentration is the ability to stay on task. It is the ability to completely focus your attention on something for a period of time. When athletes concentrate well they can take in all the information they need to make good decisions like responding to their opponent or adapting to their environment. It is the ability to pay particular attention to the task in hand.

 

Impact on Performance

Concentration has two dimensions: the broad/narrow dimension gives a width of focus; the external/internal dimension gives a direction to the focus.

 

Broad/narrow dimension:  The performer focuses on a large or small number of stimuli. Broad attention focus enables the performer to be aware of everything around and see several things at the one time. Narrow concentration focuses only one or two cues at a time.

 

External/internal dimension: External concentration directs the focus outwards. This can be in the act of assessing the situation around you, but not concentrating on any one part, e.g., taking in playing environment. It can also be in the act of performing a skill automatically focusing on what your opponent is doing, as you are about to serve. Internal concentration focuses on thoughts and feelings, allowing you to analyse experiences from the past and prepare to anticipate for the future.

 

The demand for concentration varies with the sport: Sustained concentration - distance running, cycling, tennis, and squash. Short bursts of concentration - cricket, golf, shooting, athletic field events. Intense concentration - sprinting events, bobsleigh and skiing.

 

Concentration can also vary when learning a skill. Initially you focus or concentrate on the specific weakness identified. For example when developing a smash if faulty footwork has been identified as the weakness you must ensure that you concentrate on this aspect of the technique as you work through the various practices. If you have numerous faults you should only concentrate on one or possibly two aspects at the same time. Therefore you range of concentration is narrow though it could be internal or external depending on the practice being used. As you develop your level of competence within the skill you can start to shift your concentration from specific subroutines to the overall performance of the skill and then to external factors such as your opponent.

 

Concentration is the ability to stay focussed on and be fully aware of what is going on around you. For example, in performing a drop shot in badminton, I had to judge the flight of the shuttle, the positioning of my body and the movement of my opponent.