Psyching Out!

[Pete]

Do you try and psych out your opposition or have you been a victim of someones pre-race tactics?:idea:

[mammamedley]

i hate to hear swimmers say to eachother 'don't go too fast' just before a race!!
i am quite chatty before a race - nervous verbal dirrohea (can't spell)
a friend of mine is so intense - no talking - face of thunder - really scarey

[super_fish88]

I'm really chatty! I always talk to the other swimmers in my race in the marshalling area.

[Bazza]

It depends which competition it is. If it's like club champs then it's fun to get a bit of banter going in the whipping area. This usually continues onto the blocks and resumes immediately upon finishing!! :D

Obviously if it's an important competition like Nationals I'm completely focused on what I need to do and chances are I don't know that many people anyways!

[Bootie]

I love the "Phsyche-out" part of competition, If it works your quids in, If it doesn't, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Personally I am dead quiet and focused for 10 minutes before the race, the "Physche-out" is attempted much earlier than that. It could get you that extra hundredth!

[nsswimmer]

i always say good luck to the girls in my heat but then i stay really quiet and focus on how i'm going to swim... sometimes tho i've noticed that my silence makes some girls nervous.. :P

[swimusa]

I don't talk to anyone except the timers before my races. I usually go through a stretching routine. If it psychs out people, great!, if not, I am not trying to (though I doubt someone of my build is the intimidating type, at least out of the water ;))

[tinie]

when it is with in my club or i am against swimmers i know im quite chatty, but if i dont know them i quiet and try and make them think that im really confidant but i dont think it works that often lol :)

[emma.g]

If someone tries to psych you out before a race by asking: 'What's your PB?' say to them, 'I'll tell you after this race!'
That always shuts 'em up!
At Nationals, people tend to be a lot more focused but at County champs many people just don't care. I prefere the big competitions like Nationals because it is a really good experience and a great achievement to have made it there. And I think people are too busy focusing at Nationals to have time to psych you out!:idea: :D

[super_fish88]

Originally posted by emma.g
If someone tries to psych you out before a race by asking: 'What's your PB?' say to them, 'I'll tell you after this race!'
That always shuts 'em up!

That's such a good answer! I'd never thought of that :D

[emma.g]

It's funny watching their reactions!

[Bootie]

emma.g I like your style!

[swimusa]

I like superfish better ;)

[swimusa]

I remember in high school just before the 500 yard free against some junk team, the guy in the lane next to me tried psyching me out by singing the lyrics to the Nine Inch Nails song "Rat in a Cage" or something like that. (Nine Inch Nails being an alternative grunge band from the late 90's here in the US). I made sure to lap him twice. :)

[swimmer]

LOL!!!!! (laughing AT the other person here!) lololo!