okansas.blogspot.com Occassional thoughts about orienteering
Thursday, September 12, 2002
Andersson on peak performance
One of the obvious ways to learn about a sport is to talk to people who are really good -- find out what they do. You can learn from people in other sports.
I came across a publication by Goeran Andersson (current Swedish national O' coach) and Rolf Kaek that is based on interviews with elite athletes and coaches from a bunch of sports. They interviewed orienteers, rowers, skiers, pistol shooters, wrestlers, badminton players, swimmers; and coaches of golf, soccer, bandy, basketball, hockey and track. They wanted to learn about peak performance and strategies for having peak performances at championship events.
Here is just a bit of what they wrote:
During the competition:
I stand at the starting line. Now is the time for my optimal race; doing my absolute best. At a World Champs or Olympics, everything surrounding the competition is different from a "normal" competition. But, the race itself is just like a normal competition. My techniques, speed, thoughts are all concentrated on the task at hand. My techniques are automatic -- instinctual -- while my concentration and motivation are focused on the task. I'm only thinking about what is happening now and from now on....
posted by Michael |
1:54 PM
