Winning in sports is a combination of calculated decisions. These articles will help you get the edge you need, with helpful hints in successful coaching, proper hydration, high intensity interval training, how to deal with sport competition anxiety and more… To browse our library of free sports training articles, browse using the categories on the left or use the search box.
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Winning
Articles
We'll pay you to ask questions
Got a question about sport? We'll pay you to ask it, and pay more to answer others' questions!
Self-confidence in sport – make your ego work for you!
Self-confidence in sport – make your ego work for you!
Olympic Gold Medal Winners' Training Tips
What makes an Olympic Champion?
The Rise and Rise of China's Athletes
Chinese Sport : The future's not orange - it's Chinese
Peak Performance Launches Olympics 2008 Blog
Telling Non-Olympians how to do it too!
Strength Training for Cycling at All Levels
Strength training and the importance of leg exercises: novices, experts and clubs cyclists
Zone Training: Planning Your Cycling Training Program
Zone Training for Cycling to help you get the Yellow Jersey
The Science and Practice of Sports Motivation
Use Mental and Physical Sports Motivation
Half-time nutrition – what’s best for maximising fulltime performance?
Half-Time Training for Team Sports
Diabetes - how it affects sports and how to combat it
diabetes and sports performance
Vibration Training and Performance
Can vibration training enhance Sports Performance?
Half Time Strategy - Temperature
Coping With The Effects of Temperature on The Pitch
Powerful, Accurate and Injury Free Kicking - A Mental Guide
Kicking Training for Rugby and Football
Body Fat and Running Performance
Optimum Running Performance and Body Fat Levels
Heart Vitality Training and Heart Rate Monitors as Aids to Athletic Performance
Athletic Performance - keeping your cardiovascular system in shape
Don't let competition anxiety get the better of you
Acceleration Training for Peak Performance
learn how to increase speed to make a quick getaway
Eating disorders: are coaches to blame?
Interval Training and Fitness for Cyclists
Cycling - the road to success
Sleep Loss - Making Sure it Doesn't Affect Your Training
waking up to the performance of sleep
Looking back at the past - how much has athletics really changed?
Record-breaking predictions : What are the absolute limits to human performance levels?
London 2012 Olympics: the game's afoot and there's all to play for
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY: The importance of attributions - or how to learn from success and failure alike
Travel: How time zone travel harms performance
Glycerol - can it help athletes stay hydrated?
Glycerol - how does it work and are there any downsides?
Successful coaching: The secrets of success with high-level athletes
psychometric testing | sports training
Psychometric testing: How the Giants kicked tradition into touch with psychometric testing
stress inoculation training | sports psychology
Learn how to 'inoculate' your stress, and take mental charge of your performances
choking | golf | sports psychology
Do Pro Golfers 'Choke'?
Hydration: Drink your way to winning performances: the seven secrets of hydration.
Winning: The relevant question is not "Did you win?" but "Did you come up to your expectations?"
endurance athletes race pacing
Endurance Athletes Race Pacing: If it makes sense to run the second half faster than the first, then why do the Kenyans go out so fast?
The sweet smell of sporting success
Team Sports Cohesion and Success: What Is the Link?
Team Sports Cohesion and Success: What Is the Link?
To win, you must prepare yourself to be the winner - not simply to "do my best"
Attitude Training: "Who is going to win? I am going to win!"
bilateral co-ordination | training
Bilateral Co-ordination: Why dexterity alone just will not do: some lessons from a young piano player
Sports Psychology - Thought Control
Sports Psychology - Thought Control
Australian swimming | British winning
Australian swimming inspires five tips to help produce more British medalists at Sydney 2000
Weight And Performance: If you want to win more races, lose some weight.
football | penalty taking | soccer
Football - penalty taking: How to win the shoot-out mind game
Squash: The ball-boy servants who watched, waited - and conquered
Race Pacing
Is it their high-intensity training that makes black African runners so fast?
If you want to reach your peak level of performance and be a winner, especially in an endurance sport, you must accomplish five critical tasks:
Marathon Winner: The remarkable schedule of the girl who won the New York Marathon.
Sport-specific Training: The ultimate training programme: an indispensable year plan for runners
Competition & Emotional Control
Competition & Emotional Control
In the weeks building to an important tournament, a squash player needs a workout that can deal with both fitness and skills in a time-efficient way. A "pressure session" can handle both these demands in just 40 minutes and is also extremely specific to the demands of squash.
Motivation: Here's how to design a self-determined training programme that will drive you to new heights
performance analysis | coaching | training
Performance analysis: What is Performance Analysis, and how can it be integrated within the coaching process to benefit performance?
Sports psychology: Mental toughness: do you have what it takes to maintain focus, motivation and self-belief when the going gets hard?
Questions
How does one effectively lead a sports team to reach their goals?
It is so difficult to motivate a group of people into doing their best and sacrificing themselves for the team.
I need exercises that I can do at home for the triple jump without any equipment.
Sports Science Degree-related work
Has anyone here got an honours in sport and exercise science, or health and exercise science or any other similar degree ?? If so, have you got progressed more than if you had not had a degree ??
How can I improve my Sprinting Times?
i am 13 years old and i have 4/5 months before competing for my school and club in the 100m and 200m. my times: 100m-12.21 200m-25.56
Any fast and effective ways to lose bodyfat?
I'm not afraid to work hard guys, all round I am pretty fit & quick but i would like to drop some bodyfat. Thank's to those who replied to my previous question they all helped me a lot. Cheers!
whats the best book on football training.
i play amateur football but i'm desparate to step up to the first team. i have trained hard but realise i need to keep the training football related, improve my strength, speed and stamina.
middle distance race in the 2012 olympics?
Iam 24 now but used to run a 1:56 half mile and a 16 30 5k. I joined the military and had to stop training hard. Is it to late?
Does brand matter when buying gear?
I would like to buy good basketball shoes, but i cant decide where to buy from i mean should i stick to adidas or nike or try other brands and see comfort.
Off season training for a sprinter
I'm a sprinter moving into my junior year. And I need training tips, maybe some ideas on what else I should do and whatnot. here is what I'm doing so far Tuesday- Resistance training
How can i increase my leg-eye coordination
I play football but unless i am watching the ball i am unable to kick properly.
I gained 9 pounds in 4 days whilst training, Why?
I am a professional boxer who trained hard for a bout and on the Tuesday made the weight (9st 12 lbs).
I want to get faster at the 200m sprint in about 2-3 weeks?
I am running at the Prince of Wales Stadium on the 24th June, my PB last year was about 29. This year it is at 30.69! Is there anything I could eat to get faster?
How can you prevent injury of women footballers ?
As a women coach i would like to know the reason and prevention of injuries which may help to enhance performance.
This year (my freshman year) I ran a 2:04.09 for track season. I was wondering if you think i can get that below 2 minutes for next season if i train very hard and start next week?
What do you think of the Peak Performance Premium area? (!)
As the main provider of information in this area, I'd like to find out what you think about the videos and the articles in particular.
What things can i do to improve my high jump?
I'm doing high jump in mid may. Any tips on how to train?
What muscles are used to push back for increasing running speed?
The quadriceps muscles contract hard across the front of the knee to pull the lower leg forward.
Im a freshman in high school with a PR of 2:06.96 for the 800m that i achieved yesterday.
How do I increase speed, explosiveness, and my verticle leap?
I am an 20 yr old collegiate basketball player, wanting to improve my speed, foot speed, stability, explosiveness, and verticle leap.
Are there any other Mixed Martial Artists using this site?
How do I improve my Rowing Performance
I'm a high school rower (16 yrs old, 5'10", 135lb, 24:25 6k) and row 5 times a week with my team. I want some advice on how to further increase my performance aside from working hard a t practice.
may you send to me a training schedule for 3000m and 1500m.
am trying to get the highest speed in 1500m run.i.e run in under 3:45. i have only 3 weeks to my racing day.
Does landing on your toes add to speed and make the landing softer?
Coaches teach that landing on the toes add speed and make the landing softer.
Does tilting your upper body forward add to your running speed?
Coaches teach that tilting the upper body forward adds speed. The tilt is described two ways. 1. Bending at the hip. 2. Slanted in a straight line head to toe.
Does pushing into the ground harder toss you higher or forward faster
One technique being taught is to toe off. Everyone toes off, so it is not clear what they mean by toe off to run faster.
How should I train to improve my reactive times?
How much apart should each hurdle be from each other?
Whats the average time for a 14 year old on the 100 meter sprint?
As a teenager would they affect your hormones?
How much can I swim with a Tennis Elbow?
Been swimming since age 7,Competitive - short & long distance swims, was on the National Swimming, diving & waterpolo team for most of my School and highschool years.Had to stop swimming after marriag
What is the best way to train for a judo tournament?
Our matches are 5 minutes long with no breaks, up to 8 matches in the tournament. I am trying to find the best exercises to get us ready for the tournament.
What are the best exercises for improving strength as a road cyclist?
I race 40km crit races and want to move from c grade to b grade next season.
I have dificulty shaping the lower part of my stomach. What exercise can I do to reach that area.
How do you tell if you have shin splints. I have a pain in my left leg above my ankle, but I don't know what it is.
How can i train the school students in soccer?
i want to win the school match. Can you give me any tips?
Plyometric/Neural adaptation drills for running. Any for cycling?
PP brought out an article about 7yrs ago on plyometric drills and how they improved 5 k times. Can anyone tell me what issue that was as I'd like to refresh myself with them.
If i Drink Skimmed milk every day for a month and not drink anything else or eat anything else cept from veg and fruit.. will that be a healthy lifestyle?
Does tilting your upper body forward add to your running speed
I can tilt my upper body forward and stand still or run backward.
Does pushing into the ground harder toss you higher or forward faster?
When I stand still (balanced) and push hard into the ground I jump high not forward. I can't push back at the ground while balanced to start running.
Which england soccer player joined soccer at age of 17?
he plays for england and has his ever changing hair style. im trying to know every footballer. he still plays at the age of 33
What is the best process of training techniques for soccer?
For skills like dribbling, shooting, passing and heading, what is the best way for optimal learning process of the skills?
What are optimal methods that can be apply to soccer?
Anyone has successfully implement principles of training methods from other sports (running,basketball, cross country skiking, boxing etc) into soccer training in practical form?
How long and what yardage should a high school swimmer taper?
The high school swim team averages 4000 - 5000 per day six days a week. The end of the season consists of sectional, district and state competitions. There is one week between meets.
Des resting heart rate affect your performance?
i am a 22 year old male having played soccer my whole life, my resting heart rate is about 68 beats per minute, this is quite high compared to other elite athletes, would this affect my performance, c
Diets/WorkOuts/any help for rugby?
I'm playing for a rugby team that is touring in Ireland this up and coming spring.
Will I lose fitness by cross training?
I'm a mrathon runner - Since The beginning of December I have done purely cross training (rowing, stepper, spinning, circuit training plus others) and only run a distance of 9 to 10 miles in one go (i
At home I have a pull-up bar and some weight plates and I want to know how I can perform pulldowns.
I have heard that push-ups work the back.
Is this true and if so to what extent?
What is the best way to gain coaching qualifications in football?
Hiya. Im posting on behalf of a football (soccer) coach in South Africa. He's intrested in furthering his football qualifications.
How do I train for Steeplechase?
I always fancied having a go at this event, yes I am mad, but have no idea what training to do or exercises to improve my chances of getting over the hurdles.
What do you think of Juice Plus?
Juice Plus is a natural supplement with mega doses of antioxidants.
What training can I undertake to run a marathon as well as the 1000 metres in 2.20 to 2.25?
If you could only do five exercises...
...what would they be?
Opinion: Do you think body weight exercise training is superior...
...to free weights? Opinion, but facts and studies are nice.
What is the ideal body of a rower?
Height? Weight? What do olympic rowers look like? And what biological advantages do most have through genetics
Last year (8th grade) I ran a 2:16.39 in the 800m . This year I am a freshman in high school and hope to drop that time as much under 2:10 as possible.
He ran track best mile time of 5:55 and ran cross country, best time of 20: 40 for a 5k. He is lean, but not skinny or fat. He is a decent sprinter, but can not jump high.
Is there a good Olypic Weightlifting club in Mobile, Alabama, USA ?
I do not know of one
Has anyone implemented steps to address the Relative Age Effect?
The relative age effect is a bias in junior selection and talent ID processes that consistently favours children born in the earlier part of the year relative to the eligibility date for that age-base
How do I strengthen my neck without injuring it?
In the course of training for grappling sports I felt it very important to have a strong neck.
How can I get faster times in 100m and 200m
I am 12 and last yr I ran the 100m in 13.11 and 200m 29.0,(rubbish) I want to be able to get low 12s next yr but sometimes I just get tired, intensley sprinting for about 40m.
What is the best diet for a football player before and after a match?
I am an amateur footballer but try my hardest and want to achieve what i can at this level and need to do whatever i can for optimum performance eg best training best diet best lifestyle.
I play a sport called gaelic, I need power speed an agility?
I am quicker than average 100m in 12.75secs but i like 2 lower this by 1 sec was wondering if any1 has any tips
Do you have a question for our community?
PP Online has over 10,000 registered users, all of them keen sportsmen and women, including many coaches, personal trainers and sports scientists.
Can I add 15 pounds to my bench press in four months?
I want to break my brother's high-school record. "Danny O'Dell M. A. CSCS*D is an NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach, and the co-owner of The WeightRoom Gym and Explosivelyfit.com, both located in Nine Mile Falls, WA. Here, he shares with us some of the questions he gets asked most often. How would you answer this question?"
I am entering a contest and want to know how my lifts will look to the judges. What should I do? "Danny O'Dell M. A. CSCS*D is an NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach, and the co-owner of The WeightRoom Gym and Explosivelyfit.com, both located in Nine Mile Falls, WA. Here, he shares with us some of the questions he gets asked most often. How would you answer this question?"
What comes next after a contest?
"Danny O'Dell M. A. CSCS*D is an NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach, and the co-owner of The WeightRoom Gym and Explosivelyfit.com, both located in Nine Mile Falls, WA. Here, he shares with us some of the questions he gets asked most often. How would you answer this question?"
Blogs
The Memorial Van Damme takes place tonight in what is the beginning of a very busy weekend in world sport.
I just haven’t had the time to write like before so I wanted to create a solid article which tackles a wide range of issues.
So what do we think of "little Tom's" display in the Olympic diving display?? Does it matter that he did not win, or come in the top 3?
I think that the most important thing in basketball is to stick to it. Don't think "Oh, this is just one of those smart-asses shooting their mouth off" Well it's not. I'm just stating my opinion.
Learn to move better with internet video technology
Learning styles theory implies that individuals learn more when the educational experience is geared toward their preferred style of learning.
I have been wailing and gnashing my teeth of late trying to find some great personal trainers here in London.
Have shoulder pains? You came to the right place.
“The 7 Deadly Sins of Lifting” this is another installment from A. Jay of a series of motivational articles.
www.BaseBall Southern Legacy.com
I am presently developing a web-site ie www.BaseBall Southern Legacy.com.My intrest are Coaching,Training,Nutrition,Fitness,New methods of Vo2max,and the proper method of Peaking an Athelete,too preve
Most people would agree the hardest muscle to get into shape is the one 'between the ears.'
next NLP Sports Practitioner Course that we run here at Mindtree Ltd.
How to warm up before training and event
TRAINING ADVICE Warm ups Warming up prior to exercise, helps lower your risk of injuries and the aches and pains that come with exercise.
Here is the first and not the last instalment of Nick Mitchell’s long awaited All Strength Q&A.
Are you making these mistakes as an Athlete?
Don’t get me wrong nobody’s perfect, especially me, many of these ideas came from my “Stupidity”, a rollercoaster of discovery, injuries and re-injury, does that sound about right?
It's been so long since my knee injury. You'd think I'd have got over it and be back on my bike as it were! . . But alas It's taking me a while to build my fitness up again.
Sports Medicine Foot and Ankle Rehabilitation
This article was a long time coming. After writing and then scraping and re-writing it is a good way to describe this.
Core training The martial artist should train in resistance from a multi-directional i.e. all angles, multi-positional i.e. prone, upright, horizontal, bent-over, with multi-exercises.
The Insider’s Secrets to a Flat Stomach
Hey regular blog readers myself and Nick sat down and and had a conversation, long story short this article was born.
You can't take one step forward to walk or run while you remain centered over your feet/foot. You must fall and lift to start and continue. This according to Jack Nirenstein
Rotational Carbohydrates "RO-CHO" ?
Rotational Carbohydrates "RO-CHO" Article by Steve Blades. It is all about carbohydrate rotation for ultimate performance.
Another great read by Steve Blades aka "Marmite". If you are not making gains in the gym or the track this will change everything completely.
You are a Beginner, READ THIS!
A great,long article about everything on general bodybuilding ,training, nutrition and supplementation as a beginner.
A great new update to hit Rawgrip.com, a great article for all of the new found health freaks this year.
Squat Rx Video Creator Interview
If you are a serious lifter you must have heard of the “Squat Rx” video series all over the net. The Videos are available on YouTube.
How Focused Are You at the Gym?
Sean discusses The Top 10 Reasons why you are slacking in the Gym and How to prevent this. He exposes some great Tips how to make your training sessions more productive for better end results.
Finally an article created for all you serious weight shifters. C Pikey discuses the truth about A massive Bench Press and gives some tips How To Improve your Weak Bench.
Glycemic Index in Athletes and Weight management
An article about the glycemic index of carbohydrates pertains directly to athletes and their performance.
A new article by Michael Nystrom discussing the protein intake amounts in athletes. Athlete Protein intake article
America's growing health crisis.
Catalano (Sam) All about tennis coaching.
Hi seeking info to implement into my tennis coaching to increase the development of my young players, all suggestions greatly appreciated. For e.g simple ways to understand a kick serve.
For online injury advice combined with performance enhancement look no further.
im just a teen that knows how to get your vertical leap higher if you want help just ask i would be happy to give you some workout routens...
It's a very exciting day for us today, because we've had our first major relaunch in 7 years.
When we set up the new PP Online site, one of our biggest aims was to create a place where anyone with a passion for sport could share their opinions and experiences.
Is this the fastest man in Rugby Union?
Bryan Habana is the winger for the South African national rugby team. In the current standings, after one game, he’s the top try scorer in the rugby world cup with four tries.
Powell Breaks 100-m World Record (again)
For those of you who are unaware, the world athletics championships bronze medallist, Asafa Powell, has smashed his own world 100-m record by 0.03-s!
Congratulations goes to Tyson Gay who yesterday won the IAAF World Athletics Championships 100-m in 9.85-s.
Tyson Gay to make assault on 100-m world record
In the Norwich Union London Grand Prix tomorrow evening Tyson Gay will attempt to break the World 100-m record jointly held by Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin of 9.77-s.
Steroids are banned, dangerous drugs. DON’T TAKE THEM.
