Being Prepared

Everyone knows that to get better at anything, you have to practice. But part of practice is getting prepared, both for practice and the game itself. If you aren't ready to play, you won't get the most out of your practice time or game. Here are some practical tips on getting prepared.

1.) Get your gear in gear. There's nothing worse than rushing to get ready for practice and not being able to find something you need. To keep this from happening, have a specific place to keep your soccer gear. Keep your shin guards, cleats, balls and clothing where you know it will be ready when you need it. Designate a drawer in your room or simply put everything in a plastic bag and hang it on a hook in your closet. Also, wash your shorts and jersey when you take them off and store them back so you won't be rummaging through the clothes hamper on game day. Have your gear ready so you'll be ready to go, on time.

2.) Get your body in sleep shape. A few years ago, my team was getting ready to play on game day when I saw 3 of the girls on our team just dragging around. "What's wrong with you guys?" I asked thinking they were sick or something. It turns out that they had stayed up late the night before watching movies. What many players don't relize is the importance getting a good night's sleep. In fact, most kids today do not get enough sleep. If you want to be prepared for any tough task (including school) get yourself a good night's sleep.

3.) Get your feet some fuel. Food is the fuel of the body. You can't expect to eat junk food all the time and expect your body to perform. Good nutrition starts before the game. Eat a good meal the night before a game and eat a good breakfast the morning of a game or practice so you won't run out of energy.

4.) Get in the drink. Keeping your body hydrated is one of the most important aspects of keeping yourself fit. I am continually suprised and sometimes shocked at players who forget to bring a water bottle even on the hottest of days. Last year I had to bench a player for practice for not bringing a water bottle on a sunny day with temperatures in the 90s. Also, drink water as opposed to sugary sports drinks. Despite all the claims in those TV ads, water is still the best thing for your body. Also, start getting hydrated the night before a game. Drink plenty of water before you go to bed and when you get up the morning of a game. It's nearly impossible to recover from a fluid deficit once physical activity begins. It takes time or your body to absorb any drink so start early.

5.) Get focused. Part of performing well at any sport is focus. If you have ever watched weightlifters stare at barbells for several minutes before attempting a lift or divers stand still before making a move, you see focus at work. Soccer isn't like golf, diving or weightlifting. The player is in continuous motion. Players should however have time before the game to focus on the game ahead. That's why a 15 to 20 minut pre-game ritual is practiced in many sports including soccer. Please don't show up 2 minutes before kickoff expecting to be ready to play mentally. Get on the field early and spend some quiet time stretching and focusing.

While this list is not meant to be comprehensive, it does reflect some of the things I've seen and experienced over the years. Bottom line, if you want to perform, you have to prepare for success by coming to the field prepared.

Have a good week.

-Joel