Fighter Pilot Focus

As we listen to commentators Mary Carillo and John McEnroe, we are no longer surprised to hear them remark about a player's mental focus, ability to concentrate or be disciplined. It may not be long before the statistical data offered to viewers includes EEG read outs that provide measured information about the player's brainwave patterns and their concentrating and idling rhythms. Sound fair fetched? Not if you can recall days before titanium racquets, measured service speed, cyclops or the mac cam.

Trying to concentrate in a moment of elevated stress, finding the focus known as the zone and sustaining concentration when fatigued, can mean the difference between life or death during a bomber pilot's day. Studying the brainwaves of top fighter pilots has allowed the Air Force to train all pilots who fly the B2 Bomber to train their brains to cycle continuously between a processing mode in which the brain conserves energy and refreshes its store of nutrients. Before pilots fly their missions, they are being trained to have short bursts of idling (not concentrating) brainwave rhythms between individual tasks in the cockpit. Such short rest periods, or micro breaks, allow pilots to regain very acute focus.

Tennis players are benefiting from the same technological breakthroughs that have elevated the concentration level of a fighter pilots. Using the same training devices as fighter pilots, the Peak Achievement Trainer, tennis players are able to build their concentration levels. Building the components of a mental game is no longer a dream. It has become as necessary as strength and muscle building. The tennis player who can manage and control their mini breaks will have more concentration power left in the third set of a match than the player who is not trained in this area. In approximately five to ten peak achievement training sessions which last approximately twenty minutes each, a player can learn to train their brainwaves to concentrate and idle. In essence they are learning how to pay attention to how they pay attention! Using an easy to wear head set that measures brainwaves through sensors located at specific points, brain activity is displayed upon a computer screen giving the player immediate feedback about their concentration and idling abilities. The headset doesn’t allow – for readings during point play, but will give feedback on relatively stationary drills such as service and service routine.

Often training will occur off court and incorporates imagery training. Within the first ten minutes of training, a player learns how to read the computer screen to gauge whether they are concentrating at any given time. Concentration, just like muscle memory can be developed and trained. Within the first twenty minutes of training, the player is able to improve their concentration and to learn the importance of taking micro breaks to help improve this concentration. A player is readily able to learn how quickly they are able to regain focus once distracted and can readily apply this to their on court mental activity. The training that occurs off court becomes part of the players’ brain patterns. The repetitions of focus and idling that occurred in the office have the same effect as the stroke repetitions that occur in practice. Muscle memory, or brain muscle memory is being developed. Once developed, this skill appears without thought during a match, allowing the brain to focus and idle as needed.

For more information on the Peak Achievement Training and various training centers that utilize the technique, visit www.peakachievement.com.