Focus Power

Understanding Focus as Energy Direction

Focus Power is the ability to consciously direct your mental and physical energy toward specific targets. It's based on a fundamental principle: energy flows where attention goes. By developing precision in your attentional focus, you gain a significant competitive advantage both on and off the ice.

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The Science Behind Focus Power

Your brain has limited processing resources. When you try to focus on multiple things simultaneously, you're actually rapidly switching between them, which drains mental energy and reduces performance quality. This explains why multitasking actually decreases performance by up to 40%.

The prefrontal cortex—the brain region responsible for focus—consumes significant energy. By training your focus, you develop more efficient neural pathways that require less energy to maintain concentration, leaving more resources available for performance.

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Developing Your Focus Power

Differential Focus Training

Learn to shift between three types of focus:

• Narrow focus: Intense concentration on a single detail (the puck, the position of your stick)
• Broad focus: Awareness of the entire playing field (teammates' positions, opponents' movements)
• Internal focus: Attention to your body signals and mental state (breathing rhythm, muscle tension)

Practice switching between these focus types quickly and intentionally.

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Distraction Inoculation

Gradually expose yourself to potential distractions during practice:

1. Start practicing in a quiet environment
2. Add mild distractions (background noise, visual movement)
3. Progress to more intense distractions (simulated crowd noise, unexpected movements)
4. Practice refocusing techniques when distractions pull your attention

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Anchor Points

Develop personal "anchor points" that instantly help you refocus:

• Physical anchor: Tapping your stick twice on the ice
• Visual anchor: Focusing on a specific spot on the goal
• Breath anchor: Three controlled breaths
• Word anchor: A personal keyword that triggers focus

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Focus Power in Hockey Performance

When properly developed, Focus Power allows you to:

• Maintain situational awareness while executing technical skills
• Shift attention appropriately between the puck, teammates, and opponents
• Filter out irrelevant information (crowd noise, scoreboard) during critical moments
• Recover focus quickly after distractions or mistakes
• Conserve mental energy throughout the game by focusing efficiently

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Game Situation Applications

Before the game: Direct focus inward to regulate pre-game energy, then outward to the immediate environment and game plan.

During high-pressure situations: Narrow focus to the essential elements of the immediate play rather than outcomes or consequences.

After mistakes: Use your anchor point to reset focus forward to the next play rather than dwelling on the error.

During transitions: Practice rapidly shifting focus from defensive to offensive awareness.

Remember that Focus Power is trainable through consistent practice. Your ability to direct energy through attention will improve not just your hockey performance but your academic success and other life pursuits as well.

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