WK7 - Concentration, Routines and Self-Talk

Question 1

Define Perception

Answer 1

The subjective impression of our environment or body created by the processing of stimuli acquired through diff. sensory modalities.

A distinction can be amde between conscious and unconscious perception.

However, term usually refers to conscious verbalisable perception (unless specific otherwise)

Question 2

What are some limitations of perception?

Answer 2

• impossible to perceive and consciously process all infor in enviro
• limited processing capacity, even if we think we perceive everything
• selection of perceived content through attention

Subjective perception: combo of objective stimuli, perceived through senses and direction of attention

Question 3

Why is perception importance in team sports?

Answer 3

• perceptions of teammates, playing field, goal, audience etc
• important for athletes and referees
• subjective perception differ between individuals

Question 4

Why do experts and novices perceive and process stimuli differently?

Answer 4

• experts tend to perceive patterns, novices tend to perceive specific elements
• experts have a higher memory function ofr game situations nad constellations and capacity as a result

Question 5

What are the 2 types of visual perception?

Answer 5

1. Foveal Perception
2. Periperhal Perception

Both systems for visual perception of enviro needed!!

Question 6

Define Foveal Perception.

Answer 6

• covers 2deg of visual field
• provides part of enviro that eye can perceive most sharply

Question 7

Define Peripheral Perception

Answer 7

Particularly sensitive to movements and changes in our environment and directs eye movements to those areas

Question 8

Why is visual perception important in sport?

Answer 8

• enables reactions to diff. game situations
• Ax of info in relation to one’s own body/movement
• adjustment of reactions during info processing

Question 9

Provide example of visual perception

Answer 9

Catching a ball is more difficult
* when visual info about throw/trajectory is missing
* when not allowed to move frelly while making Ax
* when info is only seen with one eye

Question 10

Why does our ‘awareness’ fail?

Answer 10

• because our cognitive processing capacity is highly limited, we select perceptual content.

Sometimes holds us from consciously perceiving even salient and behaviourally relevant stimuli

Question 11

What are the different types of “failures of awareness”?

Answer 11

• inattentional blindness
• change blindness
• attentional blindness

The last 2 are dependent on stimuli and specific training

Question 12

To what extent are these failures of awareness important for sport?

Answer 12

• overlooking chances in game (e.g. unmarked teammates)
• tactical instructions further foster this process by using additional attentional capacities
• kids <10 esp. susceptible to missing unexpected objects
• extremely high/low physical arousal leads to more failures of awareness for unexpected objects

Question 13

How can the detection of unexpected opportunities be fostered?

Answer 13

• increasing no. of action alternatives to increase unpredictability
• salient gestures of unmarked teammates
• give as few tactical instructions as possible, esp. for child <10
• preparedness for unexpected constellations and situations

Question 14

What are “perceptual deceptions and distortions”?

Answer 14

= player gaining temporal advantage over opponent by deliberately providing false indications of intended actions

1. Body Feint - action commended to mislead opponent which is then aborted and followed by true intended action
2. Head fake - player directs his or her gaze in direction diff. to their intended movement direction

Question 15

Define Attention.

Answer 15

The allocation of processing resources to and the amplification of the perception of particular places, objects, or points in time.

Question 16

What are the 4 sub-processes of attention?

Answer 16

1. selective attention
2. orienting of attention
3. divided attention
4. sustained attention (concentration)

Question 17

Define selective attention.

Answer 17

• chooses between competing stimuli, locations and points in time
• specific objects, locations, or points in time are processes preferentially; others are inhibited

Question 18

Define orienting of attention.

Answer 18

• directs attention to behaviourally relevant stimuli
• often accompanied by eye movements (overt orienting of attention) but can also take place in peripheral vision (covert orienting of attention)

Question 19

Define divided attention

Answer 19

• refers to simultaneous distribution of attention to different stimuli

Question 20

Define sustained attention (concentration).

Answer 20

• attention is maintained on specific stimulus over certain period of time (sec to min)
• vigilance as long-term attention that is maintained over mins to hours

Question 21

What is the effect of having an “internal” focus of attention based on Attentional Deployment?

Answer 21

Individuals direct attention directly toward the movement execution itself (e.g. movement pattern during golf swing)

Question 22

What is the effect of having an “external” focus of attention based on Attentional Deployment?

Answer 22

Attention is directed to effect that is supposed to be achieved by movement or on the movement target (e.g. on ball or hole in golf)

Question 23

List some routine components.

Answer 23

• focusing on view
• breathing
• self-instructions
• physical actions (often sport related)

Question 24

What are some general tips for concentration?

Answer 24

1. try focus on similar things in practice and competition
2. use self-instructions (e.g. focus!)
3. routines help focus on same aspects again
4. try to stay in present moment
5. focus on something that centres you first (e.g. breathing) and then on task
6. use eyes to focus on something (e.g. goal)
7. focusing quickly
   - squeeze hands together/clap
   - take deep breath
   - tense specific muscles
   - focus on attention