Refocus - Next Play: Event, Response, Outcome

One of the most critical aspects of the mental skill of focus is the ability to refocus. Think of it as “focus again.” While it may sound simple, this ability to shift attention to the next play, no matter the result of the previous one, is a hallmark of mental toughness and peak performance.

Whether the last play resulted in success or failure, top athletes excel at promptly transitioning to the next play. This skill is more than just staying in the present moment—it’s about amplifying that focus, keeping the mind fully engaged with the here and now.

Event, Response, Outcome

Every great performance in sports follows a pattern:

1. Event: Something happens (a play, a shot, a mistake, or a success).

2. Response: The athlete chooses how to react.

3. Outcome: The result of the response—either a high-performance or low-performance result.

Consistently making choices that result in low-performance outcomes leads to slumps or choking under pressure. Coaches often recognize this in real time. When players make repeated mistakes, they’re usually pulled out of the game to recalibrate and refocus.

Conversely, making choices that result in high-performance outcomes propels athletes into what’s often described as “the zone” or a state of flow. Coaches see this too—players who consistently make the right decisions are trusted with more playing time or have plays designed specifically for them.

The exceptional athletes excel by focusing on the next play, maintaining a pattern of high-performance choices that lead to remarkable moments on the field, court, or track.

Mark Allen’s Refocus Moment

A powerful example of this skill comes from Mark Allen’s performance in the 1995 Ironman Triathlon. At 37 years old, Allen entered the race as one of the older competitors. Early on, he found himself 13.5 minutes behind, a gap that would mentally defeat most athletes. However, Allen didn’t dwell on the time deficit or the competition ahead of him. Instead, he refocused, repeating to himself, “Take it one step at a time, stay in the moment.”

By staying locked into the immediate task—swimming his best stroke, pedaling with precision, and running with intention—he methodically closed the gap, eventually securing victory. Allen’s ability to refocus on what he could control at each stage of the race allowed him to achieve a historic win and become the oldest person to win the Ironman.

This story illustrates the power of the “Next Play” mentality. Allen’s focus wasn’t on what had gone wrong or what might happen but on what he needed to do right now.

Building Your Mental Operating System

The ability to refocus is how you maintain high performance under pressure. It’s the difference between letting one bad play spiral into more mistakes and recovering to make the next one count. Here’s how players, parents, and coaches can develop and support this skill:

For Players:

• What to Do: Use performance cues to reset after a mistake. Say to yourself, “Next play, next task.” Focus on the controllable action you can take right now, like setting your feet for a shot or preparing for the next move.

• What to Avoid: Don’t dwell on mistakes with thoughts like “I can’t believe I missed that” or “I’m ruining the game.” These interfere with your ability to recover.

For Parents:

• What to Do: Encourage your athlete to let go of the last play. Use phrases like “What’s your next move?” or “How will you respond now?” Celebrate their effort to bounce back.

• What to Avoid: Avoid comments that reinforce past mistakes, like “Why didn’t you make that play?” or “You’re better than that.” This increases pressure and discourages refocusing.

For Coaches:

• What to Do: Teach players to reset using specific, actionable feedback. Say, “Forget the last play—lock in on the next.” Reinforce the pattern of Event-Response-Outcome in practices and games.

• What to Avoid: Don’t call out mistakes without offering a path forward. Avoid phrases like “You’re costing us the game” or “Don’t mess up again.” This creates mental interference.

Unlocking Peak Performance

By mastering the skill of refocus, athletes can shift their attention away from past mistakes or future worries and back to the task at hand. It’s how you build resilience and maintain control over your performance. Whether you’re running an Ironman or playing in a high-stakes championship, the ability to focus on the “Next Play” is your edge.

This is how you build a strong mental operating system.