Bring Your A Game Every Day

INTENSITY

When you think of the truly great athletes like Michael Jordan or Lance Armstrong, how would you characterize them if you could use only one word? I think many people would choose the word, “intense” to describe the way these warriors approach their respective sports. There are probably athletes out there with similar talent levels, but there is only one “Mike” or “Lance” because these individuals have found a way to execute at their talent level by approaching training and competition with greater intensity than those they compete with. There are probably many connotations associated with the concept of intensity, but the one that I think applies to athletics goes like this:

“Intensity is the ability to do each component of one’s sport to the best of one’s ability almost all the time. Whether it be shooting a jump shot 200 times after practice or working on race speed turns during every set, intensity refers to focusing all of ones energy on the moment without losing focus.”

Now, what do you need to do to become more intense? Start by clearing your mind when you walk onto the pool deck each day. Workout provides a wonderful opportunity for you to improve your day. You can’t do homework or fix a strained relationship with your face in the water, so forget those things for the time being. From the time you hit the water, try to apply all of your energy to the task at hand. It might be warming up with perfect technique. It may be focusing on fast under water kicking, or it may be swimming at race speed with an appropriate stroke count. The key is to keep your mind from wandering. You need to think about what you are doing at practice in order to get better. When it comes time to go fast, dig up aggression if you need it, but stay in control and swim with the technique that you want to use in your dream race.

Intensity in racing is a little different. If you have done what you were supposed to do in practice, you don’t need to get caught up thinking about specific techniques or worrying about who you are racing. Intensity in racing is, once again, focusing all of your energy on what is important: staying relaxed and feeling confident. I think a common error is for athletes to misinterpret tension for intensity. Look at the face of the worlds greatest athletes when they are performing well; do they look like they are straining? They will most likely look relaxed and focused.

This week in practice, try to approach everything you do with greater intensity. You will find that even if you don’t become “Mike”, you can be a much better you and move a few steps closer to your dreams.

Amat Victoria Curam

• • Translation: "Victory loves preparation"

PRACTICE LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY!!

RACE LIKE A CHAMPION AT SECTIONALS, JUNIOR OLYMPICS and NATIONALS!!