Return training

Return training is based on covering semaphores in two positions. In the simplest version of exercise, athlete stands opposite a single semaphore, remembers presented symbol and covers the semaphore, then he turns around and searches for remembered symbol among other semaphores.

The aim of return exercises is practicing wide and narrow attention. At the beginning, athlete focuses on one particular element (narrow attention) and then makes overview of the field (wide attention). It is a perfect exercise for team sport athletes, where effective switching between different types of attention is a vital element of competition.

According to our training goals, we can change return exercises, so they would adjust athlete’s skills or different sport competitions.

Elements which may be manipulated:

Number of semaphores in the sequence – by adding semaphores in first sequence, we enhance difficulty of exercise. Athlete must remember more symbols and their order and in the same time perform a motor task (covering semaphores). In this exercise we train not only attention but also short-time memory,
Semaphores setting – semaphores may be arbitrarily set in space, so we could grade difficulty of wide attention exercise,
Distracting sounds – attention of athlete may be easily disturbed. Use diffusing sounds to become insensitive for distractors.
Daltonic background – using daltonic background makes finding a good symbol much more difficult and encourages athlete to focus more on the exercise.
Exposition time – we can manipulate with exposition time of symbols on semaphores. Thanks to it athlete will be forced to make decision with time pressure. He can also perform freely without bothering about time.

By using mentioned methods, we can implement various exercises, which help athletes to constantly develop their skills.