a pattern of attentional focus for the purpose of efficient execution of a task. The pattern may be specifically learned or habitually developed. For example, a quarterback in football starts with a broad external focus (determining the opposition’s defense pattern) and moves to an internal focus (selecting the appropriate play), then back to a broad external focus after snap (determining pass patterns), and finally to a narrow external focus (selecting the receiver and executing the throw). See also associative–dissociative strategy.