"When Ezri Konsa strolled in to preview Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Serbia at Wembley, the England defender did so in what, at first glance, appeared to be a cross between a pair of slippers and oversized Crocs. In garish, fluorescent red. On closer inspection, it was possible to make out grooves and nodules on them, and then it was time for the science part. Apparently, if you wear these your concentration improves. Well, that is according to the manufacturer. Something to do with the pressure points on the foot, perhaps."
"I don't know the science behind it, the England head coach said. They are desperate to tell me, but I haven't found time to get my head around it. But all the players are wearing them. They told me they can focus better in meetings if they wear these shoes and I hope they believe it. Maybe the most important thing is that they believe it."
"Put it down as one for the marginal gains department. Or simply the power of positive thought, which is something Tuchel, a longtime practitioner of meditation, can get behind. He tries to meditate once a day, even if he concedes that twice would be ideal. It helps me with my discipline it helps me to calm down, to focus and be aware, he said. It's not like you do it and it's immediately: Oh wow.' It's more of an ongoing thing. The more you do it the more effect you feel, but it's subtle."
Ezri Konsa arrived at Wembley wearing bright red, Croc-like footwear advertised to improve concentration via pressure points on the foot. The footwear featured grooves and nodules and drew attention for its unusual appearance. Thomas Tuchel admitted he did not understand the science but noted that all players were wearing them and that belief in their effect might matter. Tuchel practices meditation daily for discipline, calm and focus, and describes its effects as gradual and subtle. The England camp also uses pilates and breathwork sessions led by Suzanne Scott to support player focus and movement.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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