Athletes say that when they are really focused is when they perform at their best. They claim that their attention is fully paid to what is in front of them while able to push aside distractions that are happening all around them. But, are they really pushing away distractions? And, how is that possible? It is impossible to push aside distractions because the athlete does not control the sources of distractions. Even if the athlete …
Much is being talked about mindfulness and how it helps to improve performance and alleviate stress. Research supports that becoming mindful plays a very important role in staying in the zone, as athletes call it. But, what is being mindful? Mindfulness is no other experience than that of being aware of our present moment. Have you ever slowed down to really taste the pizza or salad you are eating? Have you paid real attention to …
In a recent interview with Jack Nicklaus, he was asked if athletes are born having mental toughness. His immediate response was that athletes do not know their fullest potential until they put themselves in situations where they are demanded to perform outside their comfort zone. Athletes are continually asked to take one step further to improve their performance. A thorough preparation leading to perform to one’s best is the only guarantee to building confidence in …
A pre performance routine is the “sequence of task, relevant thoughts and actions which an athlete systematically engages prior to his or her performance of a specific sport skill” (Moran 1996, p177). The objective of executing a pre-performance routine is to assist the athlete to gain full focus of the task at hand. Just prior to starting the performance, it is quite common that noises, people moving around, intrusive thoughts, and emotions become a distraction. …
Although it may sound strange to some readers, but athletes and coaches are very familiar with this phenomenon as they witness repeated performances where expected outcomes are not nearly achieved. It is not necessarily fear of winning that athletes are concerned about; after all, that’s why they compete. However, it is the consequences that come as a result of winning that some athletes fear most about. Athletes feel high levels of stress trying to perform …
