More about Train to Win

At the Train to Win stage of LTAD, training plans require double, triple or multiple periodization to accommodate the extremely high training volumes. Carefully designed periodization plans allow the high performance athlete to be able to express their full potential on competition day.

As athletes approach the end of their competition years towards the end of the Train to Win stage, plans must be made to prepare the athletes for “retirement.” After being immersed in highly structured and intense training environments for the previous ten to fifteen years, athletes may need assistance in transitioning to regular life and lifelong sport participation at the amateur and recreational levels.

Retiring athletes should also be encouraged to enter support roles within their sport as coaches, officials, and sport administrators as part of the Active for Life stage.

General considerations during Train to Win

• Train athletes to peak for major competitions.
• Performance outcomes take first priority.
• Athletes must develop the ability to produce consistent performances on demand.
• Coaches must ensure that training is characterized by high intensity and high volume.
• Coaches must allow frequent preventative breaks to prevent physical and mental burnout.
• Training must utilize periodization plans as the optimal framework of preparation, according to the periodization guidelines of the sport-specific LTAD plan.
• The training to competition ratio should be adjusted to 25:75, with the competition percentage including competition-specific training activities.
• Training targets include the maximization and maintenance of all athlete capacities.
• Athletes must learn to adapt to different environments to perform their best.