The aim of this study was to examine the effects of attentional focus on accuracy,
effectiveness, and perception of the performance in volleyball jump serve of
professional players. 12 professional volleyball players completed a 4 blocks of 8
trail (4 for accuracy, and 4 for effectiveness) of jump serve in four experimental
conditions (Non-Instruction, Internal focus on hand movement, Near external
focus on ball, and Far external focus on target zone or player). The data of
accuracy, effectiveness, and self-perception of the performance was acquired by
pointed target areas, analyzing volleyball serve effectiveness method, and selfrated
manipulative check, respectively. Results of ANOVA with repeated
measures showed that accuracy scores, effectiveness, and self-perception of the
performance in far external condition was better than near external and internal
conditions. In addition, the significant differences between non-instructional and
far external conditions were observed only in self-perception of the performance.
On the whole, these results confirmed recent findings regarding the detrimental
effects of internal focus of attention and the facilitative effects of external focus of
attention on skilled performance, especially far external focus.