A proximal external focus does not benefit skilled skiers

The potential performance benefit of an external focus of attention remains unexamined for skilled junior performers, especially those executing ballistic, whole-body continuous movements. Skilled junior skiers (Mage = 14.09) completed slalom runs under external focus, internal focus, and control focus conditions. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference between attentional foci on performance times. Our data challenges the commonly held belief regarding the superiority of an external focus. Instead, we offer researchers and practitioners a more nuanced discussion concerning possible distance effects (proximal vs. distal) associated with external foci in skilled junior performers executing ballistic, whole-body movements.