USOC Mental Training Skill 5: Concentration Rating

  • USOC Skill 4: Concentration Rating

  • How Am I Doing? Rate Your Concentration Skills

    Answer the following questions to determine if learning and practicing Concentration skills may be an important skill for you to improve upon.
  • 1. I often use cue words and triggers to keep me focused on myperformance.*
  • 2. I know what I need to do to get in the right frame of mind to compete.*
  • 3. I can jump from one thing to another or one task to another withoutlosing my train of thought.*
  • 4. If a race or training session goes longer than expected, my levels of intensity and concentration remain consistent.*
  • 5. I am very good at anticipating and responding to a competitor’s actions.*
  • 6. I can put aside non-sport related thoughts while training and competing.*
  • 7. There are times when I get so absorbed in what I am doing that I don’tnotice what else is going on around me.*
  • 8. If there is a break during one of my training sessions, I am able to relax and recover, but when I am competing I am completely, “in the moment.”.*
  • 9. I know the kinds of things that give me energy prior to and during competitions.*

  • If your total score added up to:

  • 12-18

    Excellent! Your score indicates you are skilled at focusing on the
    necessary elements of your performance and you can maintain or redirect that focus when the situation dictates a change. Practice some of the below exercises to experiment with some additional strategies.

    Concentration Exercise #1 - HERE

    Concentration Exercise #2 - HERE

    Concentration Exercise #3 - HERE

  • 6-11

    You do have the ability to focus, refocus and maintain your focus, but
    you appear to be stronger in some areas than others. Use the below exercises to balance and strengthen your attentional style. 

    Concentration Exercise #1 - HERE

    Concentration Exercise #2 - HERE

    Concentration Exercise #3 - HERE

  • 0-5

    At times, you may feel overwhelmed by the demands of competition. Take this opportunity to become more familiar with the attentional demands of your sport and systematically apply the following suggestions and exercises to minimize distractions and maximize your effort. 

    Concentration Exercise #1 - HERE

    Concentration Exercise #2 - HERE

    Concentration Exercise #3 - HERE

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