Focus - "Come Alive When They Hit Me with the Bright Lights"

""Focus" refers to the mental concentration and attention that an athlete directs towards their performance. It involves the ability to block out distractions, maintain awareness of the task at hand, and execute skills or strategies effectively." - ChatGPT

Someone asked how it felt to play in Boston Garden before over 5,000 fans with the Division 1 Sectional Title on the line. Quoting Charlie Jones, "that's outside my boat." Nothing wrong with looking into the stands for parents or friends. But that didn't happen. Youth and vitality fade. Wrinkles arrive. But the feelings of winning endure. Which is why focus matters.

1) Train your focus. "Come alive when they hit you with the bright lights." Visualization and imagery. Stop and take a breath. Mindful meditation. "Even if it’s not perfectly right, pick a direction and go."

"Athletes use these techniques to cultivate a heightened state of mental awareness, which has been shown to boost confidence and overall well-being, and, in turn, enhance performance."

2) Have a written plan. Plan to be great. Work your plan. Track your plan. 

3) Continual ascension. It's not enough to be good. You have to be better. Play the game you love for the people who love to watch you play...living the dream on the hardwood maple.  

Lagniappe. 

“If you're not humble, it's hard to be coached. If you can't be coached, it's hard to get better.”

- Jay Wright pic.twitter.com/NH4DVNO7BP

— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) July 12, 2024