>> Periodise the Year with On Track...

“ No plan, is repeated guesswork”

It is essential, therefore, that training is organised in the true sense of the word. This means balancing work loads (training) with
recovery (active or rest) – the two key ingredients of any good training programme. Alpine skiing is relatively simple to break down into phases due to the seasonal nature of the sport. To organise training, means organising firstly the winter schedule of races or courses. This is called the COMPETITIVE phase, which subsequently enables us to label the sub components of the calendar.

>> Transition phase – tends to run from April to June
>> General preparatory phase – tends to run from July to September
>> Sport Specific Pre competitive phase – tends to run from October to early December
>> Competitive phase – tends to run from December to April

Our aim within ON TRACK is to remain focused on the training year to enable us to perform and peak when it matters most.  Whether your goals are to reach ISIA/ISTD technical courses ran by BASI in November time or compete for the final EUROTEST of the season, by looking at the year as a whole,  we can formulate training plans coupled with equipment preparation to be at your best when you need to be.

Many skiers naturally periodise their training as it is common for skiers to start physical conditioning roughly a few weeks or months before the white stuff arrives. We believe this can turn into guesswork. Through a periodised approach to training for performance goals, we take into consideration factors such as: strength, speed and power development, nutrition and weight management, recovery and how to taper training intensity over the phases of the year. Fitness testing is calculated and programmed to assess adaptations to training. Without testing, how do we know which road to follow?

In addition to physical conditioning, a periodised programme signals when to concentrate on mental skills and to begin technical skill work, namely on skis. Our philosophy centres around being sharpest, in touch with your equipment and tuned into your technique at the phase when you need it. Therefore, we believe that in order to achieve this, confidence must be gained from a steady build up to skiing skills by building foundations of stance, balance and steering the skis. Our first run of the season, be it on real snow or indoor snow, must produce a feel good factor, which sets up a positive psychological success cycle. We feel good when we are in touch with our skis and the reaction we get form the snow. To simply jump on skis and expect to regain the good feelings gained from the previous year is unrealistic and can really set ones mindframe back a few stages in terms of personal development.

Our model of periodisation caters for individual goals and timeframes. Some may have intermediate goals for the up and coming season, where others may have a two year plan...