Squad

Physical
It is important for the federation to know the current fitness level of the athletes. This serves for the selection and confirmation of the squad's stocks. At the same time, the athletes are supported with targeted training plans. This part of the squad programme will be part of the long-term planning.

Mental - Competition Performance
In addition to technique, physical fitness and reliable planning, other areas are important for sporting success. In the area of mental preparation, the right attitude towards the competition must be conveyed. This should direct the concentration to the essentials. Strengthening self-confidence will enable athletes to perform at their best. This can be promoted through the targeted use of a mental coach.

Emotional
In order for the couples to be able to implement the artistic aspect of our sport more, their general knowledge must be worked on. Music theory, music history and the importance of music in our sport must be understood so that the performance at a tournament can also be done in harmony with the music.
Also in this area, the couples will be given a "toolbox" for personal expression and their presentation.

Career, annual and training plans
In order for the annual and training plans to generate their benefits, these plans must be drawn up according to recognised standards. The planning for 2022 at the latest should be carried out accordingly. This is difficult in 2021 - due to the pandemic - and serious planning is hardly feasible at present. As soon as reliable tournament calendars and travel conditions are available, the issue will be addressed with the couples.

Nutrition and recreation
The athletes should eat consciously so that they remain healthy and able to perform. In workshops, the pairs should learn how to eat a balanced diet. This before, during and after the competition. After training or an intense competition, it is often crucial to recover quickly. What to look out for? Neglecting stretching can prevent the muscles from relaxing and recovering overnight. In addition, every athlete should have a healthy work (sport) - life balance. Recovery can also mean taking a few days off as a couple.

Supplementary
Another point is the styling for the perfect tournament outfit. In recent years, styling teams have proven themselves, offering hair and make-up as a service on site at larger tournaments. The couples have thus lost the ability to take care of this themselves. If there is no styling team on site or all the dates are booked up, there is no plan B. This should be remedied with appropriate training. This should be remedied by means of appropriate training. The athletes should be able to help each other out in pairs, basic knowledge is required, the craft must be learned. With this "Plan B", the couples should be able to enter the dance floor with a good feeling.

Other dance styles
Individual workshops in other dance styles will round off the concept and broaden the couples' horizons. Ballet lessons, Pilates and Spiral Dynamics will give the athletes a better understanding of their bodies. Boogie-Woogie, Charleston or Lindy-Hop give an understanding of other dance concepts that influence our dances. This also includes Son, Salsa or Flamenco.

Framework conditions
The squad concept does not only take into account the national squad. The needs of the junior squad should also be included in the planning. Since the STSV also has very successful senior couples, the provisionally formed senior squad will be continued in 2021. In the revised squad regulations, the conditions for future admission and retention in the senior squad will be defined. The senior couples should thereby also have access to the activities of the existing squads and be promoted accordingly. The federation thus takes its responsibility and obligation to promote athletes of all age categories.

With the planned activities, Switzerland will have a strong team in all age categories in the future. The athletes should feel comfortable in the squad, experience mutual support and only compete fairly on the dance floor as competitors.

Another aspect of the squad's work deals with the time after the active career as a dance athlete. Today, the STSV and the dance sport clubs complain about a lack of coaches. On the one hand, this is due to the rather bad mood in the dance scene, but on the other hand, it is also due to the fact that the squads were not already prepared for a coaching diploma or something similar during their active career. As soon as the corresponding training pathway has been initiated by the federation, the squad activities are to be timed to the corresponding offers. As many training units as possible for coach education should already be completed during the active career so that the transition afterwards is only a small step.