Relax and win? Only if you know you are ready to compete. Training requires the athlete to emotionally know they are ready. I like testing daily and measuring elements in an audit to see if the athlete is ready to compete. Many times they will not test well even if the training is going great just because they are not in competition mode. Time trials, invited guests, cameras, and surprise testing invite the athlete to be exposed to fear. When the athlete thinks they are at an advantage they are prepared better than their peers. I love bullfighting as they must be poetic in motion with an unhappy opponent. Fight or Freeze?
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