Training with Purpose

“Wow!!! What a meet! TWU gymnastics earned a school record!”

That was the goal of the Pioneer gymnastics team this weekend as they headed off amidst snow and ice to compete against the LSU Tigers. Sadly, I cannot say that the statement about came to fruition. The goal was to earn a season high which would vault us into the coveted top 36^th spot in the NCAA gymnastics rankings. At the end of the season, all teams below the 36^th ranking position will end their season and not see a chance to compete in the NCAA post season Regionals and Nationals.

Unfortunately, we fell short of our goal by earning our second lowest team score of the year.

Previously, I wrote that being a great competitor is not about eliminating pressures and nerves but about embracing and utilizing these emotions throughout the competition.  The girls had a team goal, knew the importance of the meet, and were ready to take on the challenge. So where did it go wrong? And more importantly, why do some of the best competitors have “off” days?

Well, the answer is that in some fashion they were not physically ready.

An athlete can be the greatest competitor that has ever lived and still underperform. An athlete can be ill-equipped in many fashions. The two most prevalent that I have seen are injury and unfocused training. 

Look at it this way, if Michael Jordan had shown up to an NBA final with a broken wrist, would he have been able to sink the winning point in the final seconds? NO.  If Nastia Liukin had not trained every day before the Olympics with the specific purpose of finishing the All Around compition with a goal medal around her neck, would she have won? NO.

In the case of TWU gymnastics, the problem in last night’s competition seemed to be both: injuries became more severe this week which lead to a lack of purpose during training.

So how do we fix the problem? Luckily, there is usually a next competition and we are able to take every failure as an opportunity to move toward success. The athletes will take a few days to rest their injuries and will refocus their attention during practice.  

The best way to train is to have a clear vision of the outcome you desire and train in the best way to make that outcome happen. TWU gymnastics will compete this Thursday against conference rival Illinois State University as well as Ball State University. We will train this week specifically for this meet.

“Without a plan, you plan to fail”. Harvey MacKay’s quote will be used to inspire each TWU gymnast to utilize every turn in the gym towards making the detailed improvements necessary for success at this weekend’s meet.

They will have purpose.

Training with purpose: knowing what needs to be improved and working to correct it.  

Prepared for Pressure?

“There is no pressure when you are prepared.” These were words first year Colts Head Coach, Jim Caldwell, used to describe his feeling before the Super Bowl Monday night. We have all heard these words that if you practice and you are prepared, there is no reason to be nervous. I can say that I have even used them myself. However, if this is so true, then why do you see so many “well prepared” athletes crumble under the bright lights of competition?

Pressure is only a problem if you allow it to take control of the moment at hand. The goal is not to eliminate pressure but to harness its amazing power and allow your full potential to flourish rather than squander the opportunity to be great.  After all, greatness is merely seizing the opportunity. No great athlete becomes a legend by simply practicing well. The legends are the ones that delivered when it counted, when everyone was watching, and when they feel there is no other option!

These athletes did not ignore the pressure but rather embraced it and came out the victor because of it rather than in spite of it.  

To be frank, if you truly do not feel pressure in competition, then you do not care and you will never realize your full potential as an athlete or a competitor. Do not be oblivious to the moment, this is how the BIG moments pass you by and you are left asking yourself “what else could I have done”?  You must train hundreds, thousands, even millions of times knowing that you will not only have to deliver one time when it counts but also that everyone will be watching, waiting, and expecting an outcome from you (good, bad, or ugly).

This blog will chronicle the challenges of preparing for and competing in pressure situations. I will highlight examples during the present competition season of the Texas Women Pioneer gymnastics team in their drive to capture a tenth NCGA National Championship and first ever birth to the NCAA regional competition in April of this year.