Knowing Your Sport and Yourself

Hello everyone! I've recently borrowed this book from our school library which is really useful.

Below are some planning tips that can help us to improve further in the sport.

Analysing the Sport

Firstly, we have to analyse the sport and think about what aspects are most important in the sport, and rate them from 1 to 5, 1 being unimportant, and 5 being very important.

1. Physical/fitness
2. Technical
3. Tactical
4. Mental

In my opinion, I would say that 1, 2 and 3 are all 5s for canoe polo. What do you all think about number 4? Is it a 5 as well? Or is it another number relative to the others? I know that we should put it as a 5 because it just doesn't seem right to place it lower... but let's just judge it as compared to the rest okay? Then we can analyse further and find the really important aspects we have to focus on in order to ensure optimal performance in the sport. (:

Mapping Out the Four Training Phases

1. Transition or Recovery Phase - the time following all the competitions when you have a complete break from your sport and training. It might last a few weeks or even a couple of months
2. Preseason Preparation - the time when you return to training and before any competitions start. It's the time to work on general fitness, on improving techniques and on developing mental skills.
3. Early-season Preparation - the time when training starts to increase in intensity and become more specific. Typically, although there might be some competitions, the focus is still on preparing for the more important competitions to come later in the season.
4. Competition Phase - the time when the focus is very much on competing, when you have the most important competitions and want to perform at your very best.

Currenly we should be in the 3rd phase. :) and soon it will be the 4th phase starting 30th August! The planner is very simple: draw a table and label columns from January to December. In the rows, label "Phases" and "Sport". Under phases, write the phase that each month is under, and write down important events under "Sport", such as the 10th Pesta Sukan National Canoe Polo Championship 2008 coming up, the recovery phase after that, the preseason phase leading to next year, early-season preparation for the competition phase (SP Champs 2009) etc. (:

We can probably find some time to meet and discuss some of these stuff. (:

Self-Profiling Exercise

Think of the ideal athlete in your sport. It may help to think of a few elite athletes who you admire. Write down all the attributes(skills, knowledge, attitudes) that are important for success. Remember to include all aspects of performance(technical, tactical, mental and physical, in both training and competition), as well as any aspects of their lifestyles with which you are familiar. If helpful, you may wish to ask your coach, teacher or parent or guardian for help.

• Knowledge:
• Skills:
• Attitute:
• Lifestyle:

Now, select 10 attributes that you feel are the most important for success in canoe polo. Write them down and rate yourself from 1 to 10, 1 being 'very poor' and 10 being 'could not be better'. Rate yourself honestly(this should be your opinion; no guidance from your coach, teacher or anyone else). When rating yourself, think of the athlete you want to becomel leave room for improvement. Then, next to your current ratings, put down your desired ratings. (: See whether you have achieved these targets after a period of time, e.g. 12 months.

That's about it for today's post (: