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Post by Tezzykins on Apr 17, 2007 21:55:25 GMT 1
Just wondering what preparations should be made in the days before a competition and the actual day. I'm not entirely sure Is there anything that can help improve my chances etc.
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Post by JB on Apr 18, 2007 9:23:33 GMT 1
there are a lot of theories out there as whats best. The best thing is to try a variety and see what works best for you. i found for me that if i was comping on a sat my coach would have me train normal until the tuesday of that week.
instead of throwing in the final week main concentration was on run up and flexibility with maybe some gentle throws. then wrap the throwing arm in cotton wool till comp. what i def found usefull was advice from mike swain my coach to do an explosive weights session 24-48hrs before. i find that a short fast olympic weights session and some bounding on the friday morning seemed to leave me feeling strong and full of power sat.
as well as this you'll find a lot of the top level throwers advocate a lot of mental imagin techniques in the run up to events concentratin on going over the perfect technique in there heads over and over again. not sure how many actually do this but a lot talk about it!!!!!
on a more simpler note making sure you know the timetable and procedures is vital, seems simple and obvious but a lot of times you will see people turning up late and not warming up or even worse getting there early and realising the reg or meet time prior to throws. sort all this out in the days before the event. this is particulary important in the larger organised comps. great example of how not to do it... me in the intercounties, never been in a holding pen and didnt realise we had to wait ages in there until we were allowed out. i was way too hyped and lost a lot of that before i threw, neiland and co got it right and threw closer to there personal bests cos they planned it better.
as well as timing on the day you need to know how long your warm up can will take, this includes when to eat, what to eat and mentally focusing. its important to really put some time effort and thought into this... when you looked at the longer throwers in javfest like merv and slinger they had long prethought and set warm ups starting at specific times, this is not a coincidence... hence slinger getting irate when he couldnt get in the indoors as he had to start warming up at 3:30 latest
this all comes down to one of the oldest sayings around... fail to prepare prepare to fail, find what works for you and use it.
hope this helps
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Post by wez on Apr 18, 2007 9:59:43 GMT 1
Most of us have different comp preparation rituals so it does really depend on what works for you. What works for me best is to train hard up to about 1 week prior to the comp and i will be looking to hit max levels in my weight lifts, OH shot throw distance, jumps and sprints. Then i will throw javelin for the last time around 7 days before i compete and that session will have about half the number of throws as a usual session and i will concentrate on quality and mimcing competion throws. In the days up to the comp i will do some easy sprint drills and footwork as well as full runups without throwing. If i have any niggly injuries i will do the conditioning work for those. I usually will do absolutely nothing in the 2 days before the comp except maybe to try and visualise my throwing. On comp day make sure you have eaten well but dont stuff yourself and for me i won't eat anything up to about 2 hours before i warmup unless i am hungry again in which case maybe a bannana or chocolate bar. At the comp do your usual warmup ritual but do not push your static stretches far as that will reduce your elasticity. Also don't do too many warmup throws and certainly don't throw them hard just try to get the technique and timing right then stop. My Personal limit is maybe 6 and i will often have only 3. Overall i think its important to feel energetic, warm and loose by the time of the comp and most importantly of all in a positive state of mind. Many people will listen to their favourite music while warming up and perhaps indulge with some energy drinks or even coffee as they also seem to make you feel good. Then enjoy the comp I know what i am suggesting is quite different to what alot of people do but i really prefer the relaxed prep attitude because as a thrower i am usually too tense, tight and aggressive so i try to leave all the things which induce that 1 week in the past as they tend to make my technique worse and i am quite aware that i won't lose any power in one weeks rest. On the other hand if you are already laid back and relaxed as a natural state then maybe doing more high intensity stuff in the week up to comp will work better for you.
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