Developing Attentional Control in High School Football: Two Case Studies

Abstract

Attentional control (i.e., the capability to direct attention toward the most relevant information) is a psychological skill that has been researched extensively in the sport psychology and motor behavior fields. However, information is currently lacking as to how sport psychology professionals might use an attentional control theoretical framework in their consulting work. In this article, we describe our use of this framework in two contexts (i.e., with an individual athlete and with a high school football team). We then provide suggestions for sport psychology consultants interested in developing attentional control with athletes and teams.

Keywords:

• Attention
• mental skills training
• youth sport

Notes

1 Names have been changed throughout to ensure confidentiality.

2 The spelling of “Kees” was used to allude to the school mascot.