Train how you Compete – Compete how you Train
Train how you compete.
With this philosophy, you are aiming to raise your level of training. You want to do the things in your training sessions that you also want to have happen within your competition, especially for situations that mimic competitive environments. If you are moving slowly, making mistakes, or training with an unfocused mind, these things will show up within competition because it is what you’ve been training yourself to do!
The truth is – athletes rarely rise to the challenge; instead they fall to their training.
In other words, you want to ensure that your level of training is what you want to show up in competition. This includes the level of intensity, your focus, your decision-making, and your actual skills.
Sometimes this means that your training is focused on completing drills that do not reflect specific competition situations, but that are designed to elevate your skill so that it is more efficient, more effective, and more consistent. Other times, training is designed to closely mimic the competition environment and you want to treat it as you would a true competition.
Compete how you train.
While most athletes understand the first philosophy, this one is often overlooked. By competing how you train, you keep the same version of you rather than attempting to become a different athlete altogether.
There is no one right way to be an athlete. Some athletes are more quiet or intense than others. Other athletes are smiling, laughing, and talking to everyone around them. Neither one is right or wrong – you just need to know who you are.
Yes, competition has more pressure and more intensity than training. However, you are still doing most of the same things in both situations; the sport itself hasn’t changed. You want to make sure you are still you – in training and in competition.
Imagine if you were going on a first date. You may take extra care with your clothes and pick some slightly “better” or “fancier” ones, but you aren’t going to completely change your style! You aren’t showing up in a tuxedo or ball gown! You are still you, just a more polished version of you.
Do the same with competition. If you laugh and goof-off in training, bring that same lightness and joy to your competition. If you stick to yourself and try to “get-in-and-get-out” with quality training quickly, bring that same determination and focus into competition.
There’s no need to become anyone else. Be you and be the best version of you.
Train how you compete - compete how you train.
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