1. Broad Attentional Focus
2. Narrow Attentional Focus
3. External Attentional Focus
4. Internal Attentional Focus
1. Broad Attentional Focus
A broad attentional focus allows a person to perceive several things simultaneously. This is important in sports where you have to be aware of several things at once because the situation is rapidly changing. An example of this would be when a basketball player is dribbling a ball down the court. Their environment is constantly changing.
2. Narrow Attentional Focus
A narrow attentional focus occurs when you respond only to one or two things. A good example of this would be when a martial artist is about to break a board. The only thing they have to focus on is the board.
3. External Attentional Focus
An external attentional focus is when a person's attention is directed outward, either to an object or to an opponent's movements. An example of this would be when a martial artist is in a sparring match. They have to focus their attention on their partner's moves that they are throwing so they can react appropriately.
4. Internal Attentional Focus
The last type is internal attentional focus. This is when a person's focus is directed inward to their personal thoughts and feelings. For example, this could be when a martial arts instructor watches a student's form and can see what they are f=doing wrong without having to physically do it. Another example is when a gymnast is mentally preparing before doing a flip.
These are the four different types of attentional focus. These types can be used in all different types of sports. After reading this, think of the sports and activities you do, and see which types of attentional focus you use on a daily basis!
References
- Weinberg, Robert S, and Daniel Gould. Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1995. Print.