Focus is the foundation of all performance. Before confidence, resilience, or emotional Control can be developed, athletes must first understand where their attention goes and how it affects their decisions, effort, and consistency.

In sports like tennis and pickleball — where momentum can shift quickly — the ability to stay mentally present is a key difference between reacting and responding. Focus influences how athletes prepare, how they handle mistakes, and how they recover during competition.

This first week of the Mental Edge Performance Pathway introduces the concept of awareness. Rather than trying to “fix” anything immediately, athletes begin by noticing patterns in attention, effort, and reactions. This foundation creates the space for growth in later weeks.

The skills introduced here set the tone for the entire program. Each future week builds upon this awareness, helping athletes strengthen their mental habits over time.