A taper is a period of reduced training volume and increased training intensity that occurs prior to a competition. The duration of the taper depends on whether it is a minor, moderate, or major taper and on the volume of training prior to the taper. A moderate taper should be practiced at least once before the major competition taper of the year. This will provide the opportunity to adjust the taper to individual needs and to experiment with different combinations of intervals and sprints during the final week. One athlete will handle decreased training volume differently from another. Many athletes will enjoy the feelings of speed, power, and renewed energy. Others, however, will have a tough time dealing with the decrease in volume and will worry about detraining or will not know how to cope with the extra free time resulting from the decreased volume. A coach needs to be aware of the individual response of each athlete and be prepared to adjust training routines to address their needs.
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