Training and technique

Taper

The deliberate reduction in training volume before an event, keeping frequency but cutting distance. The aim is to arrive intact rather than to squeeze in one more confidence-building effort, which is what most people do instead.

Related terms

DeloadA deliberately lighter week — commonly every fourth — that lets connective tissue catch up with the muscle that adapted faster.

Base buildingThe unglamorous first phase: frequent, easy, light sessions that build tendon, foot and postural tolerance before any weight is added.

Where it comes up

Guides that use this term in context, rather than only defining it.

Training for a ruck marchTwelve weeks from ordinary fitness to a 20 km event under load, and what changes for multi-day marches.

Training for a selection courseSelection courses publish very little on purpose. That changes how you prepare — you train the capacity to absorb unknown work, not a specific time on a specific distance.

More from Training and technique

Ruck march Cadence Ruck shuffle Progressive overload Deload Time under load Foot march Base building Back-to-back Zone 2 RPE

All 69 terms