Attentional Focus Practice

The following is the attentional focus practice which can be used at training and practice matches.

There are four types of attention focus:

1. Assess (External & Board)

- Player need to evaluate for the environment and allow players to read the game

e.g. Anticipating of opponent movements, ball direction

2. Act or React (External & Narrow)

- Focus on objects when performing a movement or action

e.g. Visual cueing of the ball prior to hitting

3. Analyse (Internal & Board)

- Analysis or review of past information and decision-making

e.g. analysis a point, evaluating match strategy)

4. Rehearse (Internal & Narrow)

- Permits mental rehearsal

e.g. using imagery to simulate a positive emotional state

Apply on different game situation:

1. Before the match

- Use analyse  (Internal & Board) to plan strategies and review their opponents' games.

e.g. your game plan against a counter-puncher will be different to against a aggressive baseliner or a lefter.

2. Before the point

2.1 When preparing to serve, players adopt Assess (External & Board) focus to observe their opponents and focus to any external factor that may affect the point.

e,g, When you prepare to serve, you need to assess your opponent.If he is standing too close to single side line, then you will serve to his backhand or down the T. If the weather is windy, then you may use more spin serve to enable consistent placement. If he is very stiff, then you will serve to his body.

2.2 After Assess (External & Board), Then players will shift to an analysis (Internal & Board) focus to determine point strategy, once the plan is finalized, they will become more internally and narrow focused to adjust tension levels to control the ball.

e.g. After you prepare where to serve, you need to have the strategy like if you serve wide and bring your opponents outside the court, the next shot will be hitting the ball to open space and follow up to the net. When this strategy is decided, your mind should focus to control your mood (Relax & Focus) before you start the serve.

3. During the point (when Rallying)

- Players use an intense act and react (External & Narrow) focus

e.g. When playing the point, the focus will be only on the "ball".

4. Between points

- A relax, analysis (Internal & Board) focus should be used.

e.g. When you are picking up the ball and walking to the baseline, your mind need to think if the strategy is work, just go ahead. If the point strategy doesn't work, any plan B or plan C available to help you to win points.



Reference
The four types of attentional focus applied to tennis (adapted from Nideffer, 1976)