Attentional shifting

Attentional shifting is the skill of flexibly changing the type of focus along the broad/narrow and external/internal axes according to the situation. In Nideffer's model it is exactly this flexibility, rather than one correct mode, that distinguishes a master. A shifting failure means getting stuck in the wrong focus at the moment that counts.

A point guard sees the whole court (broad external), then narrows to the hoop as they shoot (narrow external). A tennis player drops into their breathing between rallies (narrow internal) and widens outward to receive. When shifting breaks down, the athlete freezes and loses the moment — that is the core of poor concentration at competitions.

The flexibility and speed of your focus changes are measured with attentional switching questionnaires in the tests section. They show which mode you get stuck in most often. The findings are easiest to go through with a specialist.

Shifting is trained with drills that alternate the commands "scan — point", with games using sudden signals, and with reset rituals between episodes. Anchor key words bring attention back into the required mode instantly. The practices are in the exercises section.

Shifting links all four types: broad external, narrow external, broad internal and narrow internal. It governs your overall attentional focus. Weak shifting deepens pre-competition anxiety.