AWARENESS
What are your attention strengths and weaknesses? To help identity your strengths and weaknesses, begin by making a list of the kinds of things that tend to distract you while you are playing. In developing your list be sure to include both internal and external distractions. Internal distractions might include worrying about your performance, talking negatively to yourself, as in putting yourself down, excessive muscle tension, frustration, rapid heart rate, feelings of confusion or fatigue (mental and physical), and an inability to concentrate. Becoming aware of the types of internal distractions during competition will require practice and insight. External distractions include the crowd, opponents, teammates, and the conditions (i.e., water temperature, water clarity, type of starting blocks etc.) Once you begin to develop an awareness of the kinds of things that distract you during competition, you have taken the first step. The next step requires taking action. |