Sustaining Concentration

Athletes aged 7 to 18 who want to stay engaged across a session, prepare between attempts or return more reliably after breaks.

Suitable for athletes managing different activity patterns, waiting periods and competition demands, with parents, carers and coaches helping adapt the ideas to age, experience and individual needs.

64 focused sections organised into 16 chapters, plus a cover, contents, top tips and closing message.

Guidance on continuous activity, separate attempts, preparation, useful checkpoints, changing roles, breaks, longer events and finishing sessions with a clear task.

Practical takeaways, fair reflection prompts and a sustainable concentration plan that considers support and recovery alongside sporting demands.

Understand how concentration demands change within a session or event.

Choose checkpoints that fit the activity and its rules.

Prepare for the next attempt and return ready after pauses.

Recognise when an adjustment, rest or adult support is needed.

Review concentration fairly and build a manageable personal plan.

Sustaining Concentration is part of the Sports Progression Hub Focus and Concentration collection. It works independently or alongside the other two guides.

Building Focus in Sport explores what to notice and how to learn through practice. Managing Distractions covers responding when attention is pulled away. Sustaining Concentration brings the longer session into view, helping athletes connect preparation, activity, pauses and recovery without expecting uninterrupted concentration throughout the day.