Peaking for a Championship

Published: 03 Oct 2004 - 23:02 by rippa rit

Updated: 15 Aug 2006 - 16:20

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Recently a National Masters Championship was held involving Individual Events and Team Events conducted over two weeks. After speaking to a few of the competitors I realised not every player can conquer the challenges that continuous competition brings.

Squash skills and practice are just some of the obvious attributes. Let's take an overview of a 1 - 2 week match schedule (and this applies to any age, gender, and standard of play). What are some things that can throw the body and mind out of balance?

Travel skills. (The amount of energy it can take to be organised and on schedule).
Sleep/Rest. (Vital for concentration and energy/enthusiasm).
Food. (Regular nutritious meals consumed taking the playing schedule into account).
Alcohol. (Minimise until the competition is over)
.Environment. (Hot/cold weather, humidity, venue air-conditioning, height of ceilings)
.Facilities/Equipment. (Washing, gear, transport).
Recovery. (The ability to bounce back into top form day after day).

Always address:-

fitness (muscle soreness/stiffness,stretching)
injuries (taping, physio, wear and tear)
mental (psyching in/out when affected by the above)
relaxation (massage, relaxation techniques).

As a mentor/coach it would be remis of me to concentrate on perfecting skills and practice without discussing the exterior factors.
How can you prepare yourself better and develop these attributes?

a) Play in some weekend club tournaments.
b) Travel to a district event.
c) Always play as though it was a real fair dinkum match for a few weeks leading up to the titles.
d) Visit other centres/clubs to get used to different venues.
e) Arrange some matches day after day to see how the body reacts.