Coaching and Care of Athletes

COACHING AND CARE OF ATHLETES FINAL, OR CoMPETITIVE, SEASON oF TRAINING By the time he enters upon the final month of training the athlete should be in regular competition and have stabilized his technique beyond the point of needing to think about style. He should be ready to produce a new peak performance when it is needed. None the less the 'new record' should be held in reserve for the day of the big contest for which he has been trained, if possible. Training in this month, in fact, should comprise a tapering-off process. It is suggested that the last two weeks of training should be as follows : Penultimate Week Monday. Two vaults at quarter effort for co-ordination. Sprint 75 yds. at three-quarter effort twice. Practise approach run at nine-tenths effort twice. Six vaults, working up from half- to three– quarter-effort height, working for style. Sprint 75 yds. three times with pole, building up speed progressively. Massage. Tuesday. Sprint 75 yds. at nine-tenths effort twice. Practise pole– planting at varying speeds six times. Approach run at nine-tenths effort twice. Sprint 75 yds. three times for speed-building. Wednesday. Sprint 75 yds. at three-quarter effort twice. Ten vaults in all, two at half effort for co-ordination and eight working up from half to five-eighths effort for correction of faults. Sprint 50 yds. " with pole for speed-building. Thursday and Friday. Rest. Massage. Saturday. No competition. Vaulting trial up to prevwus best height if possible. Final Week Monday. Sprint 75 yds. at three-quarter effort twice. Eight vaults in all, two at half effort for co-ordination and six working up from half to five-eighths effort, working for style. Massage. Tuesday. Run 50 yds. with pole twice for speed-building. Practise pole-planting at varying speeds six times. Approach run at nine– tenths effort three times. Massage optional. Wednesday. Sprint 75 yds. at three-quarter effort once. Eight vaults in all, two at quarter effort for co-ordination, six at half to five-eighths effort to correct faults or finally stabilize the proper technique in any weak points. Sprint 40 yds. with pole for speed– building twice. Massage. Alternatively the athlete may rest on this day, but should be massaged. Thursday and Friday. Rest. Massage. Saturday. Principal competition for which training has bet::n under- taken. . 340