I was with a client that plays footy at a local club, and they asked me about key recommendations to focus on during their preseason. I thought I’d share with you what we talked about as I think it could be valuable to you.
So….
This is an important topic to cover as if you don’t understand how your pre-season training will affect your next season, you’re not prepared enough!
You lack the strength and the stamina to perform at your best meaning a season with less confidence in your game!
I don’t want that for you.
You’ve had some well earnt time off, you’ve probably slacked off a little here that’s okay, but the time to kick back into it is NOW.
I want you to start the season with strength in key areas, stamina to be able to really push and feel confident in your abilities when you kick into the field. I want you to have your best season yet!
So here is what I want to share with you today:
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STRENGTH WORK IS ABSOLUTELY KEY
I am a huge advocate for strength work, it is so imperative to your training, preseason included.
Now’s the time to have a strength plan to propel you towards your goals next season. Where are the areas you felt weaker during the season, where did you pull up sore, feel tight or even injured?
What is you plan to tackle these concerns?
Understanding the importance of strength work is step A and foundational to getting the most out of your preseason.
During the season it very difficult to build strength as you are too busy recovering from one game to the next. You are normally in damage control recovering from soreness and the bangs and knocks you get on a weekend game. Additionally, even lifting weights in the season can prove more challenging.
Now is your time to get in the gym 3 x a week and build your muscle mass to sustain the season. Reduce the risk of injury, get more powerful, be explosive and outlast your opponents.
2. NOW IS THE TIME TO BUILD ON THE WEAK SPOTS
This is the easiest time to slack off and bench any strength goals until the new year. The season is over, time to hang and relax right?
This is a common area people get caught, the reality is that the weak areas you had last season… will only get worse if you choose not to sort them out NOW.
I want you back in the gym with tailored and specific workouts that target the areas that need improvement. If you have any strength concerns, enlist the assessment of a physiotherapist to help you prepare for the next season. A big tip, don’t skip leg day!
3. REST AND RECUPERATE
Now I know I’ve sounded pretty harsh about relaxing, but I do want to add that taking time out is important too. Just bear in mind that relaxing doesn’t have to be passive!
You could be swimming, hiking, playing social games with your friends or even teammates. Now is the time outside your gym work to mix it up, so that you feel mentally ready to roll come the start of the season.
A healthy balance is imperative, rest in the offseason, but also integrate a strong routine with consistent strength work.
Listen, I hope you find this information valuable!
To help you even more, I’m going to record a video later this week to expand on what I’m talking about with training in the pre-season.
– Ross Kinsella
