From making that match point serve count to stepping up to the penalty spot when all eyes are on them, how do athletes cut out all the distractions during those vital moments? We’ve examined the data to bring you six focus-boosting techniques used by elite athletes.
The ability to handle pressure, shut the world out and really focus is a trait shared by all great athletes. But it’s not a genetic trait they were born with, the result of career-spanning good luck or because they’re physically superior. Being able to remain focused on goals is a learned skill – or set of skills – anyone can benefit from.
The scientific name for it is Attentional Control Theory, or ACT. It’s your ability to choose what you pay attention to and what you ignore. The theory suggests that anxiety impacts your mental abilities, which in turn affects your ability to ignore irrelevant information and shift your priorities accordingly.
The good news is that research proves that training it will improve your competitive performance. Here's how...