As we bid farewell to the holidays , its time to prepare for the upcoming sports season
Regardless of your athletic level, whether you're an elite competitor or a recreational player, pre-season is a pivotal phase in your training.
It's when you lay the groundwork for your performance in the upcoming season, both physically and mentally.
The pre-season, the period leading up to the season, lays
Depending on your sport or level, a pre-season takes place 6 - 12 weeks from the start of your competitive season. We understand that pre-season can be challenging, even grueling, for some athletes.
The sessions can be progressively overloaded, which means gradually increasing the intensity or volume of your workouts to improve fitness and conditioning. This means that you should start with a manageable level of intensity and gradually increase it over time, allowing your body to adapt and grow stronger.
Pre-season is an opportunity to minimize and prevent the risk of injuries throughout the season. If athletes are thrust into competition without building a foundation, their bodies could break down and cause injury due to the dependence on competition.
So, how can you get the best out of your pre-season?
Don't go Hard, too Fast.
One of the biggest mistakes we can make with pre-season is to go too hard too fast. This could lead to injury and rehab before your season starts. I know you are eager to get going after sitting around during the off-season, but remember to start slowly and progressively building your training intensity and volume.This gradual increase in intensity is designed to keep you safe and in control of your training.
Develop your Skill, Technique, and Game Strategy
The pre-season is an opportunity to prioritize and refine your skills and technique and develop your game strategy for the upcoming season.
Refining your skills and technique will allow you to Perform your skills with excellent technique when under fatigue, and developing a game strategy will create and identify a style your team will play with
Building Relationships
When players go from seeing each other more than three times a week to not seeing each other, there will be much catching up to do.
Coaches play a crucial role in building relationships. They need to give players space and allow them to share the experience during the off-season. This will help forge a relationship between players and provide new players in your team the opportunity to bond and develop relationships with every team member.
Relationships can be built through team activities such as group workouts, team-building exercises, or even social events. Dedicated catch-up time can be scheduled during breaks in training or after practice sessions. For coaches, it's also essential to build relationships with your players. Use the pre-season to find out how each player is doing and their feeling for their upcoming season.
Get Everyone on the Same Page
For any team to succeed, coaches, trainers, players, and support staff must be on the same page. This unity and focus will not only be the key to the team's success but also create an exciting and motivating atmosphere for the upcoming season.
Being on the same page will help with team chemistry. There needs to be a clear buy-in from all team members, where everyone understands their roles and what is required during the season.
Have a team meeting highlighting goals and team relationship standards. These standards could include respect for each other, open communication, and a commitment to the team's success. Use the opportunity to set a foundation for the season ahead that you can refer back to you as the season progresses.
As your season draws near, remember that pre-season is the building block of success for your upcoming season.
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