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Method

Motor learning and focus of attention: why focusing on outcome, not body, improves performance.

When attention moves outside the body, the brain shifts the motor system into autopilot.

Where Is Your
"Focus Arrow" Pointing?

"Straighten your elbow," "Turn your hips"—common advice that can actually interfere with the brain's automatic processes. Why you should focus on the result, not the body. The science of attention and motor control.

Visual Model

Brain and Focus Mechanism

Switch the diagram mode below to see how resource allocation and signal flow differ in the brain.

Mode

⭕ External Focus
When attention goes outside the body (club, target), the brain switches the motor system to autopilot.
✨
Autopilot
(Autopilot)
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The Learning Paradox

During practice, focusing on "form (internal)" can feel like it helps. But on retention tests (next day or a week later), the group that focused on "result (external)" keeps much higher performance. This shows that practice performance and learning (retention) are not the same.

Constrained Action Hypothesis

Focusing on body details constrains the motor system's natural automatic control, making movement stiff.

Source: Wulf, G. et al. (Based on generalized meta-analysis data)

Definition of Movement

Why Do Olympians Struggle at Golf?

Two Definitions of "Movement"

Many ex-Olympians struggle at golf because they are masters of "1" and that habit gets in the way of "2".

1. Physical Exercise

Goal: Stimulate and strengthen the body. Focus: Muscle contraction, joint angles, form. Examples: Bodybuilding, figure skating basics, rehab.

2. Skilled Action

Goal: Create a change (result) in the environment. Focus: Ball flight, opponent reaction, tool use. Examples: Golf, tennis, basketball, darts.

Practice: Turn Internal Cues Into External

It's hard to ignore form. The key is to translate what you want to fix from "body language" into "tool / environment language".

❌ Internal"Don't release the wrists"
⭕ External"Keep the clubface toward the target"
❌ Internal"Shift weight to left foot"
⭕ External"Push the ground under your left foot"
❌ Internal"Swing the arms faster"
⭕ External"Make the clubhead whistle"

References

  • Wulf, G. (2013). Attentional focus and motor learning: a review of 15 years. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
  • Wulf, G., & Su, J. (2007). An external focus of attention enhances golf shot accuracy in beginners and experts. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.