Great ideas – the worst case scenario concept is a good one. I think too many athletes, coaches and teams go to major championships wishing and hoping that nothing will go wrong – rather than planning to win when things go wrong – as they inevitably will.

I also believe we spend too much time teaching athletes to try and control their environment and to try to get everything going right for them – when the better strategy is to teach them adaptability, crisis management and problem solving skills so they can overcome any situation, any problems, any challenges anytime – anywhere.

Thanks again,

WG

It is also important for athletes/teams to practise worst case senarios. For example, the team bus transporting athletes to the venue breaks down and they must find alternative travel arrangements quickly (e.g. walk 3km to the destination). How would athletes/teams handle this change in preparation? Can athletes handle being late to a venue and still perform at their best with a limited warm-up? Another example would be if the best player in the team is injured early in first game of the competition. How would the players react? Do they know how to fill in the gaps? Athlete and team preparation extends well beyond what happens in training and compeition. Coaches and managers must think of every aspect in order to be successful in high pressure competitions, such a Commonwealth Games in Dehli.

Thanks for providing such a comprehensive insight into competition preparation.