Playing video games before a race. Good or bad?

I have some teammates who watch stuff like "South Park" and "Family Guy" right before warming up. They're usually the really slow types who either don't take the sport seriously or are only out for track/XC to get in shape for another sport. If I were a coach I definitely wouldn't allow it. Same with games. They're not focusing on the task at hand at all.

Do people really need to spend time getting focused for a race?

I don't really see any problem with it unless it ends up cutting in to their warm up or they end up bringing a TV and an xbox or a gaming computer to the meet. They have the entire warm-up to get focused or whatever and I'd rather have fun while waiting around to warm up than sit around worrying. FWIW I used to solve a Rubik's cube in the stands before warming up and I think if anything it helped me get "in the zone"

lkj wrote:

What do you think? As a high school coach, should I allow my boys to play video games just before warming up for their distance races or not? Seems to me they are not focusing on their race.

I remember in high school coaches had stupid rules like this and encouraged us to focus on the race at the meet. There is no benefit to overthinking things right before you race or day of. You should have done all that days in advance. It's much more important to relax. If someone does that by watching videos on their phone, listening to music, or playing video games let them do it that way. What's important is when you toe the line you're physically and mentally ready to go. Different people do that different ways. A lot of athletes if you ask them to sit and focus on the race at the meet leading up to the race are just going to get their self too pumped on adrenaline too early or stressed out and negatively affect performance.

Now at the high school level you will see a lot of kids dicking around who really don't give a shit. There's not much you can do the morning of a race to change that, it's a culture thing you should have built up over the course of a season. My advice whatever rules you make regarding those individuals tailor them so that those who don't care don't do things to distract or negatively impact your athletes that care and perform well.

I play video games 3 hours before my race for one reason: It helps me poop. I play FIFA 16 and after a match, 2 at most, I am ready for dumps.

As long as they aren't skimping on warmups, it won't hurt performance wise, but maybe they should be paying attention to their teammates. For some people games will be helpful b/c they allow him or her to relax, for others they will be detrimental because they cause lost focus. Sometimes games may help someone before one race but not before another. Tough call.

I think it all depends on what game you are playing.

A game like PaRappa the Rapper might get you pumped up and ready to run, while a game like Sonic the Hedgehog would probably not get you ready to run fast.

Guys, I often play computer games. My parents sometimes scold me for playing games, but I've now found unblocked games and can play for hours on end. These games e have limitations and are always available. You can choose any genre, but I always play in the race. I like it a lot.

If you really take yourself seriously as an athlete and a runner, then you won't play video games before a race.

I'd be too nervous to focus on a game before a race. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with it, but as a coach you should set a policy that athletes stop playing an hour before their event so they can focus and warm up.

didn't realize I'd already replied, bumped thread, haha

I think it's okay if they're anxious before a race. Helps distract their mind.

JerryMiznerDies wrote:

If you really take yourself seriously as an athlete and a runner, then you won't play video games before a race.

Hahaha

I remember before indoor nationals once they had a Nintendo Wii in athelete hospitality room. I played one game of Mario Kart 3 hours before the DMR and then I took a nap and then I had the best race of my season... so there’s that.

I’ll venture a guess and say that it’s the slow losers on your team doing this. And there’s a reason why they are slow losers. Weak mindset, need coddling and constant entertainment.

Not on my team.

Enjoy it on the bus ride home after the meet.