I do this all the way up to about 2 and a half minutes to the start to stay busy and not get tired sleepy or zone out on nothing, STAY BUSY. This was taught to me by a guy I raced J22's with. He had this attitude and it really helped us in a few world events. So i have adopted it as well.
I'm actually the exact opposite.
I used to get all worked up at the starts and be almost shaking by the time the gun went. I usually had a great start, but would make mistakes later on in the race. When the start was bad, I had no mental ability to get back into the race. I also found that my starts were becoming more monotonous and similar - Starboard Tack, Committe Boat End - Blah Blah Blah - Boring.
So a coach said - Starts are like Ethnic Food, You'll never know until you try. So I started trying all sorts of stupid things. Port Tack, Shooting the line, dipsy doodles. It was more fun than anything.
To me this taught me more about how to get my self into the game and dealing with the constantly changing environement better. Of course, all this experimenting cost something - 8 times out of 10 it would suck and I would be at the back of the fleet clawing my way back (which also teaches you a lot). But the 2 times that something worked were SOOO SATISFYING. I will never forget Port Tacking the entire fleet at CORK - best feeling ever!
So I would say relax, be prepared in knowing the favored end, and try new things! Just don't forget your chopsticks!
Matt
What you may want to do is to get a group of you to go out and just run starts all morning. Do 2 minutes starts with a SINGLE WHISTLE at 2 minutes and everyone is on there own from there. Set a windward mark about 20 boat lengths upwind just to see what the effects of how you started play out. It will make things much clearer.
I think you need more practice.
I suggest you come out to Eastwood Lake (in Dayton) during the week and race with us. We do lots of short races. Couple of laps around the course then start again. Best of all, no one keeps score. Follow this all up with beer. It's a great way to spend an evening.
If you take last night for an example, the line was plenty long enough to find a good hole.
Sailing has been a lot of things to me but I never considered it "fun". In fact I don't think I'm capable of treating it as "fun". lol.In regards to mindset, I just have fun.
Merrily,
Come out early and I will invite some people to do practice starts. If we could set up a really tight line and just run through some starts, then that will help you a lot I think. The best thing is that no one will be yelling if you mess up. We are just out there for fun.
Ralph
I'm not an expert, but it sounds to me like Chainsaw is taking the "Inner Game" approach. One never feels emotion; when you win you aren't happy and when you lose you aren't sad. You are viewing what happens completely objectively, and you're really focused. I think that in the long run this will make you a really, really good sailor, but it also just depends on the individual. Of course, having fun is always more fun.
If this doesn't make sense, or I sound like I'm crazy, you should read The Inner Game of Tennis, it's a really good book, and it's not just specific to tennis.
If this doesn't make sense, or I sound like I'm crazy, you should read The Inner Game of Tennis, it's a really good book, and it's not just specific to tennis.
Am I the only person who gets very tense at starts? There are so many boats and you must be very alert not to hit them. I get really shaky and am very scared. How do I overcome this?
Am I the only person who gets very tense at starts? There are so many boats and you must be very alert not to hit them. I get really shaky and am very scared. How do I overcome this?
IHMO, it helps to have a few different styles of starts in your "bag of starts".
Each one of these starts has it's own checklist of items that need to happen, within a certain time period. There should also be at least one "escape" plan as part of each style.
Go sail with the kids if you have to. If you are already sailing with the kids and they are unpredictable, find a friendly group of adults who will give you some practice starts.
Not that it matters too much, but he's 14 or 15 .
Titillating. What are the different styles of starts and what are the checklist of items?
Shout more. Shouting releases the energy that is making you anxious and helps you control it. Just shout something topical with all your might:Am I the only person who gets very tense at starts? There are so many boats and you must be very alert not to hit them. I get really shaky and am very scared. How do I overcome this?
Shout more. Shouting releases the energy that is making you anxious and helps you control it. Just shout something topical with all your might:
Starboard!
Port!
Swine!
arrrrgh!
Outta the way!
Hello!
damn that's cold!
anything as long as it empties your lungs. A few good laughs about it later and your fears will be gone for good.
I always find it helps to shout, "DON'T GO IN THERE" or "UP UP UP". I've no idea what they mean but it seems to confuse the opposition.