OUR SPORT PSYCHOLOGY TIPS FOR SURVIVING PRE-SEASON
WHAT HAPPENS IN PRE-SEASON?
Preseason is something that many athletes dread because it involves restoring fitness after the "off-season." Research has revealed that athletes typically endure a noticeable decline in fitness across various domains after taking a significant vacation to mentally and physically heal. The players won't be as prepared to play as they were before without a well-organized pre-season.
As a result, pre-season involves the "development" of skills and conditioning, which entails gradually overworking the body to increase fitness. Coaches typically up the training load during this time by two to four times.
A good season depends on it, but it also isn't appealing. It's difficult and demanding, forcing participants to push their bodies and minds to the limit and coaches to strike the perfect balance.
OUR TOP TIPS TO GET THROUGH PRE-SEASON
Small Goals
Our athletes are frequently given the advice to make both long-term and short-term goals.
Setting yourself some shorter-term objectives during pre-season is an excellent idea because it can be so challenging (i.e., what you need to do this week). This can assist in turning an improbable, far-off objective into smaller, more manageable stages.
These little achievements and short-term incentives can keep you moving in the right direction and help you get to the end of the current season and beyond.
Have the right perspective
Keep in mind to enter with realistic expectations. You won't be as physically fit or powerful as you were before the vacation. Expect not to immediately reach your previous level of excellence. Remind yourself that it takes time and effort to achieve anything.
Knowing what it will look like and that it will be difficult will help you get ready for what lies ahead. If you take it day by day and concentrate on the present rather than getting caught up in what needs to be done in the future, you won't run the risk of getting discouraged when things aren't perfect right away.
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Control your emotions
When you aren't performing to your full potential, it is difficult. It may cause you distress and frustration. However, allowing these feelings to affect you can be harmful for your performance as well as your drive and attitude.
Excellence in sport is mostly dependent on emotional management. Athletes must therefore learn to control their emotions when things are difficult or they are not quite where they want to be. Some of our top recommendations are:
Before practising, listen to music that puts you in the appropriate frame of mind.
Take charge of your inner dialogue; be constructive and logical, and reject unfavourable ones.
Consider images that will ease your tension and stress.
Face your worries with the assistance of others. head on Clench and then release your muscles to relax your body.
To help you relax and lower your heart rate, take deep breaths.
Work on your mental game
Make the most of the preseason to sharpen both your physical and mental abilities. Working on mental strategies that you might utilise throughout competition season is a smart idea at this time.
Practice self-talk, visualization, and emotion control to determine what works and what doesn't for you. You'll then be prepared to handle your nerves on the competition floor and give your best effort because you'll know what to do.
Change your mindset to push through the pain
Pre-season is a painful time for athletes. Although you can't escape it, how you perceive your discomfort is crucial. In order to increase your performance and go back to where you were, you should strive to be able to recognize that pushing through it will help you develop the physiological adaption needed.
Visualization might also inspire you to endure the discomfort. Consider how it will look and feel when you have completed the challenge. To motivate yourself to continue, try to visualize the good feelings you will feel.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It will be difficult, but if you follow this advice, you can go through preseason and arrive at the first competition of the season a better athlete than ever, prepared to reach your maximum potential.
You'll soon be back to full shape and performing at your best if you approach it as an exhilarating challenge rather than a threat. Work hard because you don't want to regret not making more of an effort later.