GUIDELINES TO IMPROVE CONCENTRATION TECHNIQUES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PRACTITIONERS

CHAPTER 1 ORIENTATION TO THE STUDY

Introduction
ʼn Positive sporting experience by the athlete is not possible without the athlete's ability to concentrate effectively. Many anecdotes exist to confirm this statement:

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. “

Buddha made this statement 2,500 years ago, and yet we still do not understand the essence of effective concentration: Concentrate on the immediate moment, live in the now! (Senk, 2009
: 93).


“I was in my own little world focusing on every shot. I was not thinking of what score I was on. “
Darren Clarke - Golfer, after a round of 60 (Senk, 2009: 92).


“Golf is 20% technical and 80% mental. “
Ben Hogan - Golfer (Millman, 1999: 23).


“What we think while playing is probably the single most important part of any player's game. “.
Gary player - Golfer.


“I just took it ball by ball, trying to give every delivery 100% concentration. “.
Michael Atherton - Cricketer (Moran, 1996: 67).


“I felt as though I was driving in a tunnel. I reached such a high level of concentration that it was as if the car and I had become one. ”.
Arton Senna - Formula 1 motorsport (Cohn, 2008: 1)
 
"The mind leads the body."
Koich Tohzei (Millman, 1999: 38)


"The secret to success is no secret at all - it comes down to sound preperation, a step-by-step process, and focused effort." (Millman, 2003: 68).

Awareness and analysis of the problem


Sports psychologists, coaches and athletes worldwide realize the value of using effective concentration techniques. However, many primary school sports coaches in South Africa are still unsure about the value and application of concentration techniques to help their athletes improve their sports experience. Many primary school coaches reckon that they should focus only on the physical preparation of their athletes. Many primary school coaches feel that psychological preparation will not significantly improve the athlete's sporting performance.

During the past decade, a variety of techniques have been developed to optimally develop the concentration skills of athletes (Moran, 2003: 68). The capture of concentration skills is achieved through the use of concentration exercises and concentration techniques. Concentration exercises are largely used during the practice of a skill, while concentration techniques are mostly used when the athlete finds himself in a competitive situation, such as in a competition (Moran, 2003: 68).