More about Train to Compete

The Train to Compete stage of LTAD is a dress rehearsal for the Train to Win stage. Train to Compete maximizes all of the physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional capacities of the athlete. It also teaches the athlete how to handle the distractions of elite sport, such as travel, weather, different competition venues, media, spectators, and difficult opponents.

Winning becomes a major focus during Train to Compete. However, coaches should help their athletes to select specific competitions that support strategic athlete development. The learning and development that occurs during these competitive events will prepare athletes for the next stage in their sporting progress, Train to Win.

General considerations during Train to Compete

• Provide year-round, high intensity, individual event and position-specific training.
• Have athletes perform their skills under a variety of competitive conditions during training.
• Place special emphasis on optimum preparation by modeling high-level competition in training.
• Continue to tailor and refine individual fitness programs, recovery programs, psychological preparation, and technical development.
• Emphasize individual preparation that addresses each athlete’s individual strengths and weaknesses.
• Athletes must strive to deliver consistent high performance results in both training and competition.
• Coaches should consistently use periodization plans as the optimal framework of preparation according on the periodization recommendations of their sport’s LTAD plan.
• Coaches and athletes must plan for tapering and peaking for competition, to accommodate the large increase in training volume.

Tapering means reducing both intensity and volume in training as athletes approach the date of major competition events. Tapering allows athletes to peak for major competitions, ensuring that they will perform at their best.