LERTMENTAL PERFORMANCE

& LIFE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM

Brett Manning

15 Seconds of Focus

Session 3

Topics:

• Focus Enhancement

• Routines

• Self-Discipline

• Taking Responsibility

Focus EnhancementGoal: Create clear lines of communication in your mind

What does being focused actually mean?

• In the present moment

- Not thinking about the future or the past

- “Be Here, Now”

• High awareness…

- Of the competition environment

- Of your own emotions

- Of small details

- Of your movements

Focus Enhancement

Ways to raise your focus level:

• Become in tune with your breath

• Determine the exact task at hand (simplify the process)

• Integrate all of your senses

- Pay more attention to sounds, touch, smells, seeing

small details

• Train your mind to have a high level of focus outside of

sport

Focus Enhancement

PROCESSFOCUS details

Focus EnhancementWhat things can hinder your focus level?• Teammates/Competitors• Coach• Officials• Fans• Pain• Failure• Success• Level of tiredness• Emotions• General Life

Focus EnhancementFocus Breaks

• Cannot focus 100% of the time

• Develop a “Focus Tool” to help you get into high focus mode

• Examples:

• Que word(s)- “Be Here Now”; “Go Time”

• Circle of focus

• Quirks- Clap hands, etc,

Focus Enhancement4 Questions From the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory (ACSI)

(Smith et al., 1994).

Scale: 0- Almost Never 1- Sometimes 2- Often 3- Almost Always

1. I handle unexpected situations in my sport very well.

2. When I am playing sports, I can focus my attention and

block out distractions.

3. It is easy for me to keep distracting thoughts form

interfering with something I am watching or listening to.

4. It is easy for me to direct my attention and focus on a

single object or person.

Focus Enhancement

Application Activity: 100 Numbers

Focus Enhancement

• Simple

• Clear

• Task at Hand

• Aware of surroundings

• Able to Predict

• In Control

• Attention to detail

Routines

Routines

RoutinesWhy are routines important?

• Improve consistency

• Increase comfort

• Ease anxiety

Types:

• Daily

• Pre-Practice/Competition

• Pre-Race/Training Run

• Post-Race/Training Run

• Post-Practice/Competition

RoutinesApplication Activity

• Create & define your competition day mental routines

Self-Discipline

What is it?

Giving up something today to gain something even better in the

future

Examples…?

Self-DisciplineRole Play Exercise:

Partner up and pretend that you are 40 years old and don’t

have very good self- discipline.

Answer these questions:

1. What kind of job do you have?

2. What do your kids think/act like?

3. What does you husband or wife think of you?

Taking Responsibility

Is it easier to take responsibility or make an excuse?

Who is in charge of your behaviors?

Who is in charge of your success or failure?

Who is in charge of making a change in your performance?

Taking Responsibility

Write down one way that you can take more responsibility for

your behavior in the following 5 areas:

• School

• Home Life

• Ski/Snowboard Racing

• Other Sport or Activity

• Friends/Social Life

Next Session

Monday, February 17

Topics:

• Visualization

• Breathing & Relaxation

• Communication Skills

Application Assignment

• Finish your Routines Worksheet

& bring it to next session

Stay ConnectedResources to Keep Learning About The Mental Game:

• Website: www.lertmentalskillstraining.weebly.com

• Email: bcmperforance@gmail.com

• 1:1 Consultation

Questions?