Training is one of the most important elements of an athlete’s success.
That being said, there are dozens of ways to train. From physical fitness to flexibility to sleep schedules to diet, some professionals rely on dozens of coaches to help them keep an edge. Even mental trainers are part of an athlete’s success, as they can help them identify positive thinking patterns and change negative mindsets.
But these examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what sorts of skills athletes need to keep their competitive edge. Even beyond the scope of athletics, professional gamers might also need to develop certain skill sets. From poker players to eSports players, the core tenets of a consistent and competitive approach remain the same.
But what sorts of considerations are the most important? Let’s take a look at how professional coaches and trainers advise athletes and top-tier gamers on how to stay sharp.
Train in New Ways
One of the best ways to diversify any competitive skill set is to take on new forms of training. For athletes, this might mean adapting new exercises in their routine that help them develop new muscles or train their reaction time.
In the context of gaming, it might mean tackling similar titles. For example, a poker pro who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the game and its variations can sample new game types. They might discover that another variation is better suited to their skills or pick up a few new insights along the way. In short, training in new ways exposes competitors to new approaches and experiences.
Use Technology When Applicable
Aside from finding new and novel ways to train, professional competitors can also use technology to push their performance to new levels. In fact, the majority of pro sports teams around the world now rely on insights that are driven by data collection. Using stats from data collection programs, coaches and staff can easily benchmark every player’s improvement over time—and they can identify areas that need further improvement.
And while it might sound a little odd considering gaming is based on technology, the same is true for eSports players. Many professional teams rely on data collection to do things like benchmark players, recruit up-and-coming gamers, and decide which players will be responsible for certain in-game tasks.
Prepare Mentally
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how much an athlete or a gamer prepares for the task at hand if they don’t have a solid mental approach. A mental approach might involve something like visualization. Visualization allows competitors to imagine themselves facing certain challenges, from a penalty kick in overtime to a set play.
The goal of preparing mentally is to train the mind for any type of challenge. The higher the stakes, the more important that mental preparation is. Not only can it help alleviate stress because competitors have ‘been there before’ (in their imaginations), but it’s also a tool that can help them stay positive and focused when the cards are down.
Embrace Change
Embracing change is one of the key ways that businesses can stay competitive—but the same is true for athletes and gamers. Embracing change is a deceptively important part of the game. Not only can rules change over time, but so can tactics employed by others. A good example is the growth of three-pointers in the NBA.
Historically, the NBA has focused on creativity and driving toward the net. Players could stand out as stars, scoring point after point, so long as their skills were strong enough. That’s not necessarily the case across the board anymore.
Today, a handful of NBA teams rely on three-point shots to propel them toward a win. Though this new approach was unfamiliar to many coaching squads, the teams that have embraced this change have gained an edge over their competitors. In other words, rather than bemoaning the change in the league’s style of play, the top teams and players have adapted to the changes.
