The following principles of sports training should he kept in mind.
(a) Principle of continuity: This principle states that sports training should be a continuous and regular process. Continuous and regular training leads to improvement of performance capacity. Interrupted training programmes leads to decline/decrease in performance capacity.
(b) Principle of progression of load: In sports training we want continuous improvement in performance, therefore we have to increase the load from time to time or periodically. The training load should be gradually increased in order to improve performance. Therefore load should be increased in 'steps'.
(c) Principle of uniformity and differentiation (individual load): In order to achieve best results, the sports training should be formulated uniformly but allowing for individual differences. To start with. the training should be uniform in order to spot talent. With the passage of time however, training should be increasingly individualized. Training programmes need to be formulated keeping in mind individual characteristics like age. sex, talent, temperament. intelligence, training state. load tolerance and possibility to recover etc.
(d) Principle of general and specific preparation: General preparation is done in order to create a base over which special preparation can be done to enhance performance. After general development we should gradually increase specialized training procedure. High proportion of general preparation in the initial years of training ensure all-round development thus creating a base for future performance.
(e) The principle of active participation: The principle of active participation means that for good results cf sports training programme, a trainee must be activity involved in this process. The trainee should fully understand the aim and objective of his/her training programme. He/She shiuld actively follow the coach's directives.
(f) Principle of cyclicity (periodisation): Sport training programmes are developed through a series of training periods or cycles. These are formulated for longer and shorter duration. Usually there are three training cycles-
(i) Macro cycle
(ii) Meso cycle
(iii) Micro cycle
(i) Macro Cycle: This is considered as the longest cycle of training. Its duration is 3 to 12 months. This aims achieving at top form in a particular competition and increasing of performance capacity to higher level.
(ii) Meso Cycle: This is a training cycle of medium duration. The duration of this cycle is 3 to 6 weeks, A Meso cycle aims at tackling of definite training tasks as part of the total process of development of performance capacity or perfection of technical skill or improvement of motor ability.
(iii) Micro Cycle: The duration of this cycle is 3 to 10 days.
