Wednesday, August 5, 2009

TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT COMPETITION


Many gymnasts made mistakes; most of them were technical and accordingly deductions in scores were inevitable. But there were dozens of occasions when they could have done better had they prepared correctly, hence missing the ultimate goal ‘to win ‘

There is no substitute for hard, well organized , regular training, which will return confident, well executed exercises, therefore the list below should be viewed as complementary and certainly important to your approach to the next competition. Whatever the level, it should be your best effort.

1. Be absolutely clear of the exercises you are expecting to perform including your vault number.
2. Practice, rehearse and get through them under differing conditions and state of mind.
3. Feel confident that that all exercises have been adequately trained and effectively observed by your coach.
4. Do not include doubtful or risky elements ( moves which you are uncertain )
5. Make sure that your clothing and footwear is clean and sound, including any elastic which would be well sewn to your clothing.
6. Do not wear new socks, straps or anything which might affect your performance – new socks tend to slip about in your shoes, new straps are tight and affect grip etc. But you should have a good pair of gym shoes
7. Get plenty of sleep and regular – not heavy meals of varying types, but nothing new, unusually seasoned or strange to your normal taste prior to your competitions. ( if it is possible abroad ) Most gymnasts don’t eat for several hour before a competition.
8. Be absolutely clear about , bus, train or flight times, also the competition times, the whereabouts of the sports hall/gym – allowing plenty of time to amble about before getting changed.
9. Get familiar with all the apparatus , making a note of bright lights, audience seating, amount of approach run, space around the apparatus etc.
10. Warm up thoroughly and slowly. Try out the moves or routines in the direction you hope to compete in. Don’t be persuade to go through your routines several times because others are doing it – unless this method has proved to be right for you.
11. Take into the competition with you : a) spare straps ( have these always available 30 sec. Will not allow you to dash into the changing room for your spares ) b) spare footwear, if shoes shows signs of weakness, c) Pullover or extra tracksuit if in a cold gym, d) a small quantity of juice or water.
12. Do not forget some warm-up clothing =- always keep competition gear clean and make sure wrists bandages are well tucked in ( if you wear them )

Always present yourself confidently before and after each performance. Then go out there to win.

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