Athletic Decision-Making: The Power of Pause
- Elite athletes, like quarterbacks and baseball hitters, use a split-second process to optimize performance: pause, notice, choose (PNC).This technique allows them to process information and make effective decisions,...
- The PNC concept, rooted in the work of Viktor Frankl, emphasizes the space between stimulus and response.
- Acceptance and commitment training (ACT) aligns with PNC, encouraging "committed actions" that reflect personal values, even amidst distractions.For athletes, this translates to successful skill execution, such as hitting...
Harness the power of ”Pause, Notice, Choose” (PNC) to sharpen athletic decision-making and elevate your game. This News Directory 3 article reveals how elite athletes master PNC-a technique that allows them to process crucial information swiftly, avoiding impulsive reactions under pressure. Learn how psychological flexibility, championed by Viktor Frankl and echoed by ancient philosophers, empowers athletes to manage thoughts and emotions effectively. Discover how embracing values-driven actions, akin to Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), translates into on-field success, from hitting a home run to sinking a game-winning shot. Explore the crucial space between stimulus and response. Understand how this mindful framework allows for intentionality and enhances performance. Discover what’s next …
‘pause, Notice, Choose’ Key to Athlete Decision-Making
Updated June 22, 2025
Elite athletes, like quarterbacks and baseball hitters, use a split-second process to optimize performance: pause, notice, choose (PNC).This technique allows them to process information and make effective decisions, rather than reacting impulsively.
The PNC concept, rooted in the work of Viktor Frankl, emphasizes the space between stimulus and response. This “space” allows individuals to consider thoughts and emotions before acting, promoting intentionality and psychological flexibility.
Acceptance and commitment training (ACT) aligns with PNC, encouraging “committed actions” that reflect personal values, even amidst distractions.For athletes, this translates to successful skill execution, such as hitting a baseball or shooting a basketball.
Psychological flexibility, as defined by Kashdan, Disabato, Goodman, Doorley, & McKnight (2020), is the ability to pursue valued goals despite distress. This involves managing both pleasant and unpleasant thoughts and emotions.
ancient philosophers, including Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, understood the importance of managing internal experiences. Aurelius wrote about corralling unnecessary thoughts, while Epictetus advised keeping intentions pure despite distracting emotions.
Even a 9-year-old recognized the conflict between feelings and choices, highlighting the universal understanding of this concept.
Performance is ofen stressful, filled with stimuli and accompanying thoughts and emotions. PNC helps athletes take charge by pausing to notice and reflect before deciding, preventing random thoughts and emotions from dictating thier actions.