Abstract
An explicit attentional focus is needed in performing a task. The focus of attentional cues during skill execution has received much attention in delivering the correct technique in action. However, internal attention focus that focuses on body’s coordination is more complex to be followed compare to external attention focus which focusing on environmental effects. This study investigates the impact of specific attentional focus on novices in overhand volleyball serve. The participants (N = 132) were assigned into three groups that received different attentional focus: IF group (n = 44) internal focus attention, EF (n = 44) external focus attention, and CONF group (n = 44) no attentional focus attention. The measurements transpired (acquisition test and retention test). The participants performed 30 trials divided into seven blocks of five trials of overhand serve in volleyball skill using their dominant hand. North Carolina State University Volleyball Skills Test Battery and instruction scoring were used to evaluate the overhand serve performance of 7 blocks of 5 trials. ANOVA-repeated measures revealed a significant interaction between groups and measurements in a 3(groups: IF, EF, and CONF) × 2(measurements: acquisition test and retention test) design and post-hoc Bonferroni adjustment analysis revealed that the EF group demonstrated the most significant improvement in instruction scoring and serving to score. Furthermore, participants from EF understand better in executing the action compared to other groups. Conclusion: Individuals’ skill-based performance can be impacted by directing their attention to internal or external stimuli. By focusing their attention externally while doing a motor task, novices can improve their serve technique. Recommendations are made to explore several criteria that may affect the participant’s learning process in greater detail.
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A highly appreciation to the Universiti Teknologi Mara for the unconditional support. We thank you e-RTS, UiTM for the helpful comments on earlier versions of this manuscript.
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Razak, F., Mod Saleh, M., Mohamed Kassim, N.A., Ab Razak, R., Hasan, H., Budull, C.R. (2023). Directing External Focus Instruction to Improve Overhand Volleyball Serve. In: Kuan, G., Chang, YK., Morris, T., Eng Wah, T., Musa, R.M., P. P. Abdul Majeed, A. (eds) Advancing Sports and Exercise via Innovation. Lecture Notes in Bioengineering. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-8159-3_18
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