cq2; phases of competition (periodisation)

Question 1

What are the phases of competition?

Answer 1

• Pre-season
• In-season
• Off-season

Question 2

What is the purpose of periodisation?

Answer 2

• Training volume and intensity can be monitored and adjusted
• Time periods to allow adaptations are programmed
• Overtraining and undertraining do not occur

Question 3

What is the pre-season?

Answer 3

Preparation phase (6-12 weeks prior)

Question 4

What is the aim of the pre-season?

Answer 4

By the end of the pre-season phase, physical condition and quality of skill performance reach a desired level

Question 5

What should be done in the pre-season?

Answer 5

• Improve all aspects of fitness
• To develop technique, introduce strategies and familiarise players with them
• Learn appropriate mental skills
• Improve performance biomechanics
• Predominant energy system is increased to its maximum capacity

Question 6

What should the general mesocycle in the pre-season phase focus on?

Answer 6

• Biomechanics
• Focuses on athlete’s weaknesses
• Building a strong fitness base through high-volume training

Question 7

What is the pre-season phase generally characterised by?

Answer 7

Training that is of great volume and moderate intensity

Question 7

What should coaches integrate into the end of the pre-season phase?

Answer 7

Incorporate skill development to allow a smooth transition into the competition phase.
- Thus, as fitness base is established, drills should be incorporated to develop sport-specific skill requirements.

Question 8

What is the in-season phase?

Answer 8

Competition phase

Question 9

What is the in-season phase characterised by?

Answer 9

Maintaining fitness and strength from the pre-season phase, while increasing in intensity and decreasing in volume of training.

Question 10

What is the aim of the in-season phase?

Answer 10

• Maintain stamina/fitness (prevent reversibility)
• Improve tactics and strategies → perfect skill execution
• Gain competitive experience
• Continuing the development of psychological strategies
• Tapering and peaking when needed

Question 11

How are these aims best achieved?

Answer 11

• Supplementary work of specific fitness components
• Use of highly specific skill practices (drills)
• Continuing conditioning training
• Small games
• Resistance work to increase intensity and provide relief

Question 12

What does the in-season involve?

Answer 12

• Specificity needs to be applied more vigorously during this phase
• Volume and intensity manipulated so the athlete has greatest gain → less emphasis on aerobic capacity and strength conditioning

Question 13

What is the transition from pre-season to in-season?

Answer 13

• Fitness and endurance developed during the pre-season should be maintained
• Greater emphasis should be placed on simulating game-like situations to improve skills, allowing the application of these skills under pressure
• Also performing strategies and tactics for competition through drills and modified games to allow development of decision making and tactical awareness

Question 14

What determines the number of training sessions for an athlete?

Answer 14

Their ability to load (train) and unload (regenerate), to ensure ‘overtraining’ does not occur
- Some athletes will undergo a period of tapering to physically and mentally prepare for and event

Question 15

What is the off-season?

Answer 15

A phase of physical and mental recovery after the end of the in-season, not a complete lay-off of training as it would lead to reversibility

Question 16

What is the aim of the off-season?

Answer 16

Active leisure → physical and mental recovery

Question 17

What does the off-season involve?

Answer 17

• One week of total rest
• Modifications of diet to reflect workload
• Work on weaknesses such as injuries or perhaps on specific technical skills
• Maintenance of strength and flexibility to avoid reversibility
• Variety is essential to maintain interest and motivation