Success leaves clues

A sure fire way of increasing your performance levels is to see how the professionals do it!

The elite sports people of this world are where they are because they do something different or are able to do things that the rest cannot.

Their preparation, their mindset, their skills and their techniques are different to you and I.

So, how can you get it?

The answer is to copy what they do!

Select those athletes whose performance you want to emulate and get observing!

See how they execute their strokes or exercise. See how they get into the correct position, notice where their head is and hands are.

If possible video the event and play it back in slow motion.

Use the freeze frame facility to see what the batter is doing at the moment the pitcher is letting the ball go. Is the batter perfectly still? Has he made an initial movement? Where is his backswing?

Observe all of the small details and jot down in a notebook what you are going to try out in training next time.

Try out the skill and also visualise the skill in your mind as well. Successfully complete the skill in your mind to gain momentum and confidence.

Try watching your heroes live as well. Notice what they are doing in their "down time" i.e the moment of time when they do not need to be concentrating.

That could be on a time out, in between games of tennis, in between facing a delivery at cricket or in between holes at golf. What do the elite do? Are they focussing? Relaxing? Concentrating harder? Switching off?

If you are able to try and video your own performances and play them back.

This is particularly helpful if you are trying out a new technique or skill - you can see all of the mechanics of your new skill or exercise and notice what is working and what is not.

In summary:

• Select the athletes who you want to be like
• Observe their skills, techniques and behaviour
• If possible watch them on video or live
• Select what you want to bring into your own game
• Execute and train with the new modification
• Work out whether it is working or not
• Adjust, review and have fun!

Life Coach