Train smart using the correct Methodology
TRAIN SMART ON AND OFF THE WATER
SAVE TIME AND EFFORT BY USING THE CORRECT METHODOLOGY
By MICK DI BETTA
Perform with a Trusting Mindset In Competition
The ability to perform instinctively is critical to consistent execution in competition. The reason why you practice is so you can trust your method when its time to play/compete.
Athletes who lack trust tend to:
1. Second-guess their decisions
2. Over-analyze their technique
3. Take too long to make a decision
4. Avoid taking risks and making plays to avoid mistakes
5. Dwell on past mistakes
The more you practice a skill, you’ll develop a memory (motor) program for that movement. With repetition, movements start to feel natural and effortless. If you over control /coach a well-learned skill, your performance suffers. If your not working the energy systems used for your chosen competition, your training to finish, not training to race the event.(training to go slow)
Training Plans should be designed to mimic racing and the energy systems used in racing. Through well constructed Interval Training Sessions that have the athletes working at above racing pace, with the appropriate rest periods to stress those energy systems used in competition.
Make your training session practice for Competition
Your first task is to stop “practicing” when you “perform” in competition. All the training is complete. Now is the time to put it to the test!
In competition, you need to commit to simplifying how you perform so you can race intuitively instead of perfectly. Put your practice behind you. Train your skills with dedication, but then rely on your confidence and ability when it’s time to let it flow.
Use Training To Learn How To Trust
Second, one of your tasks to increase trust/confidence is to change your practice to facilitate your on-course or racing performance. You should not spend 100% of your practice time in the practice mindset. This is why football teams scrimmage and tennis players play practice sets.
Consider this a transition time to help get yourself into the competitive mindset. You should spend at least 60% of your practice time in the performance mindset, as competition nears, to help you make an easy transition from training to racing. The more times you have been in that position in TRAINING the easier it will be when you get there in COMPETITION.
Why Trying Too Hard Hurts Trust
Third, you have to learn to quiet the over-trying mindset. Trying too hard to be perfect with your performance will not help you let it flow in competition. This requires you simplify your performance. For example, process thinking rather then outcome thinking will produce the TRAINING performance in COMPETITION more times with success. Focus only on the process of the competition that you are currently in before changing your mindset to the next, in the BOP you have to get a good start before you can get a good buoy turn done and if your Race Pace for 32 miles is 10km/h no good paddling the first 10 miles at 12km/h.