Routines - general

 Definition: Set sequence or regular method of procedure

We often perform a routine activities without thinking too much about them. Because we repeat an action often (sometimes with monotonous regularity) the brain performs the act almost subconsciously. We can often perform a routine act and not actually remember doing it! Whilst dangerous in some situations (when operating a machine for instance), it can prove useful with a repetitious act like a golf swing or an emotion. Practice something often enough and you do it automatically.

Routines form an essential part of the dedicated sportspersons schedule. They are not limited to what you do when you arrive at the venue in the car, or just before you play a shot. All aspects of your life are relevant – fitness, what you eat, how you sleep, and activities you perform during the day or night – even the way you dress.

 How serious you are about your sport will determine to what degree you develop good routines and whether you stick to them.

 A truly dedicated sportsperson will develop good routines, shaping life around sporting activities, not randomly fitting sport in around life.

This is not as difficult to do as it might initially sound. You are probably doing this to some degree without even realising it already.

Over a period of time it is worth monitoring personal activities and other factors that can contribute to your mental and physical state. This will include your lifestyle and take in periods of minutes, hours and days before the event. Observation should be a continual process. 

You should not limit your analysis to “why did I play poorly?” it is equally important to identify what might have helped you play well. Indeed, more can can be learned by discovering why you play well as this will enable you to recreate an environment in which you perform at your best.

Analysis should always be a positive experience. This is not an opportunity to blame, it is an opportunity to define. 

Identifying reasons for good or bad performance is a positive discovery - things you can incorporate or discard as the case may be. 

Routines will differ between individuals. From your observations you can begin to develop routines that work for you.

A word of caution

Do not become neurotic. Failure to stir your coffee in a clockwise direction 26 times would hardly constitute a reason for failure!! Sometimes circumstances will dictate a departure from routine, so don’t be phased if such an event occurs.

Some call it superstition, others call it routine. Whatever you want to call it, here is a rather bizarre example that one guy would not be shaken from….

A gentleman called Colin Gardener from Portsmouth developed what might be considered a bizarre ritual when leaving his house for an important match. Colin would take his bag out of the house through the front door, re-enter the house, lock the door from inside, then leave the house by the back door, collecting his gear from outside the front door en-route to the car.

“Why?!!” you probably ask. Who knows!! Why should this enhance his chances of a win? Lets just say it made him feel good, and what’s more he played quite well!. Feeling good is important, so whatever works for you…….

In order for routines to be successful they must be easy to stick to. For this reason, good routines should be realistic and simple.