The Mental Game

Chris Love 3 years ago

Every sailor knows there's more to winning than athletic ability, physical strength, and even practice. There's a whole different element that goes with it, and that's in the sailor's own head.

We've all had races, days, or entire regattas where we just don't feel like our heads are on straight. You know the feeling. Suddenly the boat feels different, you lose confidence, you start missing shifts or blowing tacks that just the day before you were nailing.

What causes this? What can we do to prevent it from happening to us? How can someone prepare themselves not to choke?

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7 comments

of course 3 years ago

I think hydration is pretty key myself. I mean just look at the design of the v-15. You can easily fit 3-4 12oz...sodas in each of the 3 pockets up forward. I think the designer really had the sailors' hydration rate in mind when he designed that small craft. Just ask the most recent TR midwinter's champs...I'm pretty sure they were hydrated the hole time...

Joe Six Pack 3 years ago

Stay hydrated all throughout the day. Even if you don't feel thirsty, you need it.

Zach Runci 3 years ago

This is something that has always been a huge issue for me as long as I can remember. No matter how much time I spend or how hard I work, I am not able to just go back to the basics and make the boat go fast.
One old coach put it best would always tell me that I was sticking my head up my ass and my boat was not moving.
What I have found works better than anything when you start to notice yourself going slow and "sticking your head up your ass" is to:
RELAX! you know that you can do it.
THINK SIMPLE THOUGHTS! there is so much going on in a sailboat race so many things can distract you and everything can be over-thought, forget about it. Every time you get in a boat you learn and you know that all of those things that you have learned are second nature.
DONT EXPECT TO HIT A HOME RUN! Simply put all you need to do to win a regatta is sail consistently. Going out there and trying to win every race is not going to get you anywhere. Take baseball for example, another sport that is all about the averages, no one ever goes up to the plate EXPECTING to hit a home run, they all aim for a base hit, and every once in a while they get lucky and hit a homer.
Sailing can be looked at in almost the same way, if you go out there every start trying to win the race you are going to over think, and make stupid decisions, risks that rarely pay off, like banging a corner HOPING that you will get that perfect shift. Go out there and aim for a solid average top 5 every time. Some races you might not be quite there, and some you might get that shift and win, but you will almost always eliminate the DFL's and deep races that kill your average.
STICK TO WHAT YOU KNOW WORKS! some of the most basic tactics in sailing are often way over-thought. At the start think about staying bow out on the guy above you, and rolling the guy below you. Keep a clear lane, sailing in bad air is ALWAYS slow, just don't do it, it is always worth a few extra tacks. Keep your boat pointing at the mark, tack on the knocks and ride the lifts up. Look for breeze, sail in darker water. 4 simple things that are the most important things to put together a successful series.
lastly, DON'T STRESS OUT! Life is full of stress and craziness. the worst thing you can do is to take that out on the water with you. Check that all at the dock, the ocean is our playground, it is always fun and beautiful. there is nothing to stress out about out there. If you are like me and can't clear your mind whenever you please then my best advice is to work to reduce stress in your life. It will keep you going faster, and much easier to think simply.
I hope that someone gets something out of that... I know I did, at the least I just put together everything that I have picked up about sailing mentality.

in addition there is a great book that really focuses on the mental game of sports. It was written by a Pro tennis player and coach who did a study on how your brain can effect our playing. I have found the book super helpful with sailing, and assume that nearly all of the same info holds true regardless of what sport you are playing.
"the inner game of tennis"
BY: -W. Timothy Gallwey
hope this all helps
Zach

person 3 years ago

you cant be the best without thinking your the best...that applies to every great athlete in every sport, how lance, tiger, kobe, ovechkin etc are so freakin consistent

Confidence 3 years ago

Some people like the teammate slapping them across the face. Personally, I have found lately that the less I think about sailing, the better I sail.

People on the water 3 years ago

I had a bad break up in during a season, and it seemed every time I was at a race and she was there I could not get my head in the game. My starts were garbage and it just didn't work I lacked the confidence. It took a team mate slapping me across the face to wake me up most of the time.

Confidence 3 years ago

No one ever believes it, but confidence is one of the most important things in sailing. Being able to start next to anyone on the line, not worrying about who you're racing against or who you're racing with, and keeping your cool. I know a lot of sailors who think of just about every little thing they can do to possibly win a race... that doesn't work. Think about what has worked for you you're entire life, then maybe work on the little things... if you have time. Once you believe that you can sail just as "fast" as the other boats, it's about eliminating mistakes. Most sailors at a given regatta know what they're supposed to do, it's about who can do it without screwing things up - that is, consistency.

You already know how to race. If it's worked for you in the past, then:
Confidence + Consistency = Success