Individually, we have our natural strengths and weaknesses in terms of concentration, so it is useful to consider what the differences are, and how our natural preferences might actually explain some of the difficulties encountered in maintaining quality of training across the different demands of the programme.

Internal Focus

The ability to concentrate upon ‘kinaesthetic feedback’ from the body and respond to it is a very necessary concentration style. Kinaesthetic feedback comes from a strong internal focus inside the body, and the more able we are to concentrate strongly upon these internal cues, the more likely we will be able to reproduce or change movement patterns.

This obviously has implications for developing, changing and maintaining technique (especially under pressure, either fatigue or competition stress). It might be muscle feedback, key feel sensations in a particular area of the body… but importantly, the increased focus internally, blocks out irrelevant distractions from outside the key influences upon performance, and allows consistent movement patterns to be produced.

Ergo Concentration

It’s interesting to note that this type of concentration is not naturally reinforced on ergo’s. With feedback from the clock on the ergo’s being all important, athletes will often find themselves concentrating on the numbers… but not on what they are doing to effect the numbers. Therefore, they can naturally be practicing a style of concentration that takes their attention slightly away from their internal focus. Concentration tends to become focused upon effort and power, in attempts to control the outcome they desire (i.e., the read-out).

What normally happens when too much concentration is expended externally on the clock is the athlete ends up thinking… “the split has changed, I must have done something different”, as opposed to being able to think “that feels really good now, I know the split will have improved”. The ability to trust the internal concentration takes time to build-up but is an important skill to develop. A common technique for this is to train with the clock turned away.

Concentration Cues

Ideally, the rower needs to be able to “self-cox” by identifying the key mood words, images, sounds or thoughts that they need to focus upon in order to get consistent, highly focused rowing (either on the ergo or on the water). It’s worth taking some time to decide what the specific concentration cues are that help to produced maximum focus, for a prolonged period of time.

The following might help identify where strengths and preferences are: Mood Words, Mood Images & Feel Focus.

Mood Words:

Mood words can be used as a verbal “mantra” to help maintain focus on a particular element of technique, or effort. The words are repeated internally as needed and usually help the rower focus on “how” they are trying to row. The words will usually relate to power/style/technique… so the obvious “glide”, “drive”, “smooth”… or very specific technical pointers to do with body position, or movement type. The way the words are emphasised when said internally is also important… concentrate on making sure the way words are said match the spirit of the instruction (no point using “re-lax” and it is said in an urgent, high tempo way!).

Mood Images:
This concentration cue is all about using “active visualisation”. Instead of words, the rower concentrates upon producing a repeated visual image that keeps them focused on producing consistent, efficient technique. The image might relate to producing an ideal power curve in their mind, or seeing themselves or someone else producing robust technique on tv. The image provides the guidelines for the body to work within… the clearer the guidelines, the better the work. The key is that the images are connected with the very specific ‘feel’ cues, known by the rower, to get them rowing well.

Feel Focus:
With this concentration style, instead of the word or image being used to focus upon, the rower simply identifies an area of the body (specific or general), and the feel they want to create for each stroke. The concentration is focused upon 1) Making the feel happen, and 2) Ensuring that the right feel is maintained. The feel might relate to a muscular feel or rhythm feel.

With the duration of training sessions being considerably longer than race requirements, it is also important to ensure that within the training the rower gets regular practice of the required intense concentration for 5-9 minute bursts. Being able to know that you have the skill to “switch-on” and remain totally focused for the intensity of the race might be the difference between a great day and an o.k. day. With race-plans effectively being concentration plans in action, it is essential that each rower feels that they have developed their skill to be able to focus fully upon the detail of the race-plan, and the correct intensity for them, in the correct style for them, FOR THE TOTAL DURATION OF THE RACE. At the international level, even a slight decrease in concentration at a critical time, might be enough to lose the 100th of a second that could separate gold and silver.

Editorial by Chris Shambrook

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