As the new soccer season gets closer, what are players doing to make a difference in their game? I am sure some are running, lifting, working on ball skills, watching games, reading books, and/or anything else that they feel will help them be a better player for this upcoming season. As athletes, it makes sense to work on these areas to improve physical ability, technical skills, and develop a better understanding of the game. The goal is to see a significant impact to the level of play once the whistle blows for the start of the first game this fall. No matter what level, most players step back on the field with the hope and desire to be better.
What changes can be made this upcoming season to help a player become a more successful on and off the field this upcoming season? Below are some great things for players to do through the season to help improve all aspects of their game.
1. What do you eat and drink? Most players could care less about what they put in their bodies on a daily basis, and particularly do very little to adjust their diet before practices or games. Simply put, most kids do not have the proper nourishment or hydration to compete at a high level on the soccer field. With the physical demands of the game, your body requires proper foods and fluids at all times to help the body prepare, endure, and recover from a soccer training session or match. I would suggest consulting a doctor or a nutritionist to map out an intelligent dietary regiment that matches the player’s training habits and level of competition.
2. How much sleep are you getting? With the internet, video games, and cell phones, kids are staying up later and later at night interacting with friends and getting less and less sleep. With long school days and vigorous schedules, kids seem to be more sleep deprived than ever. It goes without saying that none of us are at our best when we are very tired. As an athlete, proper sleep is critical to being able to perform at training or games. The game requires players to be alert and mentally sharp to make decisions on the field and react at the speed of play. In addition, too much sleep can also make a player sleepy before a match, so it is not suggested to sleep all day either. The body needs time to wake up and prepare to play. Find the correct number of hours your body needs to sleep each night, and make sure you get to bed at the right time
3. When do you arrive for training/games? Being on time for training and games is mandatory for most teams at all levels of competition. For players to be properly prepared to train or play a game, it is NOT enough to just arrive on time. Elite players have particular pre-training/game routines to help them physically and mentally prepare for training. When a player arrives right at the start of practice or when warm up starts for a game, the player has no time to get themselves in the right mindset to play. I strongly suggest players arrive at least 15 minutes before the time they are required to be at practice or a game. This gives the player some “me” time do what is necessary to get themselves prepared to play.
4. Do you evaluate yourself? Players usually look to their coach or parents for feedback on their performance during games or at training. Some players will approach the coach and ask for feedback, while other players wait for it (not suggested). But how often do players evaluate themselves? I would bet most do not and never really have evaluated their performance after a game. I do not mean, “yea, I played ok” or “not my best day.” I mean sit down and write out what you did well, where you could have done better, moments you thought the game momentum changed, what player did you struggle against or have success, how many times did you give the ball away, how many scoring chances did you have or create, and many other insightful questions. It is one of the hardest things to do, but perhaps one of the most beneficial things a player can do after a game.
5. What kind of teammate are you? This is a tough question to answer, but again it is very important to your success. A player’s success on the field is directly affected by the players on his or her team. It is not tennis or golf where you only need to rely on yourself to win or lose. Within a team dynamic, “good teammates” are critical to the success on the team and each individual. Are you the type of teammate that holds others accountable, encourages others to strive for more, picks up the slack when someone is having a tough day, etc? Being a good teammate, and putting the team before yourself, is a self-sacrificing mentality, but in reality, it actually benefits you in the end. If you are not sure what kind of teammate you are, here is a test… Do people normally want to be on your team? If so, you probably are a good teammate. Often, even if a player is good, but not a good teammate, other players will elect not to play with that player.
These are just a couple areas a player can change this coming season to help improve, not just their level of play, but their overall experience throughout the season. The best thing about these small, but significant, changes is that it only takes the player to make a choice. All of these are simple things a player must “choose” to do in order to improve their level of play. It does not take countless hours of training, money, extra time, etc... It is just a very simple statement, “I am going to do things better this season.”
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