Want to know why reaction time is so important across different sports? Here are just a few examples of where better reactions can help:

1. Recognising the cue – in a sprint start, focusing on the starter’s voice and the sound of the gun and segregating this from background crowd noise and negative thoughts
2. Detecting relevant cues – a goalkeeper’s understanding to assess body language at penalties
3. Decision-making – working on set pieces and sports situations
4. Alteration in attention focus – being able to shift quickly from concentration on the opponent to concentration on the field of play in invasion games
5. Regulating anxiety – which slows reaction times by adding contradicting information
6. Developing optimum levels of motivation – ‘psyching up
7. Warm-up – to assure the sense organs and nervous system are ready to convey information and the muscles to act upon it.

Whatever the sport, reaction time is crucial and there’s plenty you can do to help improve it.