FOCUS

…is your ability to tune out distractions and lock in on what really matters in the moment — whether that’s the next pitch, your free throw at the buzzer, or listening to your coach’s play call.

Think of it like turning down the background noise and turning up the volume on the one thing that will help you perform your best.

PONDER THIS: In sports (and in life), what you pay attention to shapes your reality and how well you perform.

Things that Distract Athletes:

  • Crowd noise

  • Mistakes you just made

  • Opponents talking trash

  • Pressure from parents, coaches, or teammates

  • Your own thoughts (“What if I mess up again?”)

The trick isn’t to eliminate distractions—it’s to control your attention so the distractions don’t control you.

Why Focus Matters in Sports

  • Selective Attention: Focus lets you tune out distractions and pay attention only to what’s important in the moment. (Bye-bye to overthinking and self-doubt!)

  • Consistency: Athletes with strong focus can repeat skills with accuracy, even under pressure.

  • Decision-Making: Focus allows you to quickly notice what’s happening in the game and make smart choices.

  • Staying Present: Focus helps you stay in-the-moment instead of worrying about the last play or the scoreboard.

Athletes who can focus are like laser beams—precise, powerful, and unstoppable.

Where We See Focus in Sports

  • A soccer player focusing on the ball, not the crowd

  • A swimmer focusing on their breathing rhythm

  • A basketball player focusing on the free throw, not the score or the crowd cheering (or jeering) behind the basket

“The game is won in the mind before it’s won on the field.”
— Vince Lombardi

Why Focus Fails (and How to Get It Back in 5 Seconds)

Ever felt like your brain just… zoned out?
You’re in the middle of a game, coach is shouting, teammates are moving, and suddenly—your focus disappears. Don’t worry—it happens to everyone.

Here’s the truth: focus isn’t about trying harder. It’s about training smarter.

⚡ The Problem:

Your brain is wired to react to distractions—crowds, noise, phones, thoughts like “don’t mess up.” Every time you lose focus, your brain’s “attention muscle” gets tired.

🧩 The Fix:

Use the 5-second reset:

  1. Pause (take one deep breath)

  2. Refocus on one target (the ball, your breathing, or a single cue word or short phrase like “now” or “lock in”)

  3. Act — move, play, or shoot immediately

You just trained your brain to snap back into the moment.

REMEMBER:

Elite athletes don’t have perfect focus—they just recover it faster.

MPT Toolbox for FOCUS

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