Mastering Focus for Performance
Unleash your inner champion as you learn to understand focus fundamentals, create focus cues, and master mindfulness.
Topics covered
What you'll develop
Understand the critical role of focus in athletic success and learn to identify "relevant cues" within the performance environment while filtering out unnecessary noise.
Distinguish between internal and external distractions and master the ability to quickly regain composure using specific "reset" techniques and mindfulness practices when focus is lost.
Develop and implement an actionable focus plan utilizing custom verbal, visual, and physical cues—supported by confident body language—to maintain high-level engagement under pressure.
Course outline
About your experts
Upon completing his PhD in Sports Psychology and Motor Behavior, Greg served as an Instructor in the Department of Kinesiology at Western Washington University (WA), Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching & Sport Development at Liverpool John Moores University (UK), and as Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at James Madison University, while providing mental performance training services to Collegiate athletes. Greg originally joined IMG Academy in 2019 as Assistant Head of Mental Conditioning, working with boy's soccer, girl's tennis, and golf programs before becoming Manager for IMG+ Coaching and Development. Greg is a keen golfer and soccer player and lives in Bradenton, FL with his dog, Millie.
Dr. Emily Wright values helping others and sharing her passion for promoting mental performance training as an important component of holistic athlete development. As a former multi-sport athlete, Dr. Wright pursued every opportunity to excel athletically (e.g., extra practices, coaching, strength training, summer camps) but felt her performance results did not reflect the effort she was putting into her training. Thus, her interest in sport psychology grew from a desire to understand the mental side of athlete performance and why physical preparation alone is not always enough. Emily earned her Ph.D. in Sport Psychology from Michigan State University (Institute for the Study of Youth Sports) and a master's degree in Sport Leadership from Miami University (Ohio). She is the founder of her own mental performance coaching private practice (The Wright Mindset LLC) and has been part of the IMG Academy+ team since it began in 2022. Dr. Wright also served as Director of the Champions 4 Life Leadership Academy through Miami University (Ohio) Athletics, shaping not just athletic performance but the leadership and life skills development of Division I student athletes. Dr. Wright's coaching approach is athlete-centered and individualized. She works with each athlete's unique goals, challenges, and personality to develop practical mental performance strategies that translate to competition. Her most meaningful coaching moments come when athletes share how the work has made a real difference in their sport and life. Dr. Wright loves what she does and feels grateful for the opportunity to help athletes enhance their mental game (e.g., build confidence, manage pressure, learn to focus) and reach their potential both in sport and beyond.
