Elite athletes can experience a number of emotions during competition, but surprise is not one of them. The element of surprise is usually the difference between a win and a loss in strategy sports such as football, basketball and soccer, or a good or bad performance in technical sports such as swimming, golf, and track and field. Elite athletes do not get surprised during competition due to their training nature. They train for all options, perfecting each skill set that is needed for their success.

Take for example an elite linebacker in football. He is going to study every possible way that his upcoming opponent can score on him. He is also physically perfecting his athletic linebacker-specific skills at the same time so come game time, whether the ball is in the hands of a running back, quarter back or wide receiver, he is prepared for all options and has the physical tools to execute his desires. Elite swimmers train in the pool for endless hours executing countless strokes in all environments so when they step on the starting platform, no movement from the time of the starting gun to the beep of the finishing pad will go unperfected or unsurprised.

If you’re going to be surprised in competition, do it by over achieving in performance from training to be perfect. Put the ball in your hands; don’t put the ball in someone, or something (injury, weather, sleep) else’s hands. Train hard and #TrainBIG

Schaudt is out!