Consistency and Composure

Concentration l Focusing attention on the RELEVANT cues in the environment l Maintaining that attentional focus

Concentration l Attentional focus as a function of width and direction (Broad vs. narrow; External vs. internal) Attentional preferences? “ Ideal ” depends on: –Person –Sport –Situation

Concentration l Christiano Ronaldo – Tested to the limit –(iSkysoft vid)

Improving Concentration l Use cue words l Establish routines l Practice eye control (keeping eyes from wandering to irrelevant cues – e.g., Todd) l Stay focused in the present l Learn thought-stopping techniques –If an irrelevant (usually negative) thought pops in, let it go quickly, replacing it with a focus on the present. “ What do I need to do right NOW? ”

Composure (Keeping focused)  Regaining focus after a mistake (quickly).  “ What happens to you is nowhere near as important as how you react to what happens to you, ” Jack Donohue  It does no good to punish yourself for previous mistakes. Practice refocusing during drills!

Use self-talk to... l return focus to specific skills l calm self down l combat fatigue l counter negative/self-defeating thoughts, e.g., –“ This officiating sucks... we ’ ll never win ” –“ I hope I don ’ t choke ” –“ I should never have made that error ” Use self-talk to... l return focus to specific skills l calm self down l combat fatigue l counter negative/self-defeating thoughts, e.g., –“ This officiating sucks... we ’ ll never win ” –“ I hope I don ’ t choke ” –“ I should never have made that error ” Composure

Composure iSkysoft vid Olympic 10,000M

–Challenge / skill balance –Automaticity / spontaneity –Total concentration but without conscious effort –Sense of being in control without trying to be in control –Loss of self- & time-awareness (becoming one with the activity) –Challenge / skill balance –Automaticity / spontaneity –Total concentration but without conscious effort –Sense of being in control without trying to be in control –Loss of self- & time-awareness (becoming one with the activity) Characteristics of “flow”

The Path to Flow in Sports 1. Keep it a game 2. Powerful Goal l As you play the game, remind yourself of the process goals. 3. Relaxed Focus l Release your mind from all distractions, from within or without. Focus your entire attention on the game/task. 4. Surrender to the Process l Let go. Don't strive or strain to achieve your objective. Just enjoy the process.