Squash Specific Attention Training!

As a squash coach working with competitive juniors, one of the most powerful frameworks I use to develop their mental game is Nideffer’s Model of Attentional Focus.

Dr. Robert Nideffer, a psychologist and former Olympic consultant, developed this model to help athletes understand how their focus shifts during performance. He identified two key dimensions of attention — width (broad to narrow) and direction (internal to external) — and mapped them into four distinct types of focus. Mastering these can help players improve decision-making, execution, and mental resilience on court.

Here’s how it applies to squash:

1. Broad-Internal (Planning & Strategy) This is the kind of focus players use before the match — thinking about tactics, strengths, and adjustments. I’ll often ask juniors in this phase: “What’s your plan against this opponent?” or “What patterns work best for you?”

2. Broad-External (Awareness & Anticipation) During a rally, players constantly scan the court and read the opponent’s body language. This is about picking up cues early: “Are they winding up for a boast or a straight drive?” Training awareness here helps players stay one step ahead.

3. Narrow-External (Execution & Precision) This is the moment of impact — hitting a drop shot, placing a serve, or volleying on the T. It’s laser focus on the task. When juniors lose consistency, it’s often because they can’t maintain this focus under pressure.

4. Narrow-Internal (Self-Regulation & Recovery) This is used between points or games to control nerves and refocus. Breathing techniques, short mantras like “reset” or “I’m ready”, and calming routines help players regain composure.

What separates elite juniors isn’t just physical ability — it’s the ability to switch between these modes of attention smoothly and intentionally. Teaching players when and how to shift their focus is a key step toward building true mental toughness.

And Nideffer’s model gives us the map.