Untitled Document

The purpose of pre-competition preparation is to obtain a particular pre-determined mental and physical performance state which may or may not be the ultimate optimal performance state. Therefore, the goal of pre-competition preparation in soccer is to have each team member achieve that state of optimal performance readiness - a key requirement for consistently good team performance.

Mental preparation -before assisting the players with developing pre-competition strategies the coach must be aware or the following key facts concerning mental preparation:

•There is no one way or formula to prepare mentally for ompetition.

•Preparation strategies are based on the needs of the sport, the situation (crowd, food, temperature), and the person (introvert, extrovert, emotional state).

•Preparation strategies change over time to accommodate sport situation and personal factors.

•Preparation strategies change because situations change from time to time. Therefore, there is an experience factor.

•Each situation must be evaluated and appropriate changes to preparation strategies should be made.

•If the athlete changes as a person then her/his preparation strategy should also change.

•The more important the competition the more detail should be the pre-competition preparation.

•Preparation time should be fitted into the athlete's daily schedule

•Always aim to prepare sufficiently to get the job done.

Key Considerations

The coaches and athletes must consider several key relevant issues and perform required tasks when formulating a pre-competition strategy:

Preparation time - always allow more than you thinkis needed

Mental warm-up

·use visualization and relaxation techniques to go over past performances, game strategies, and responsibilities

·determine the mental state that is required for optimal performance, and execute prepared strategy to help attain this state.

Rest/food/drink

· determine how much rest, food, and hydration is needed on game day

·determine what to eat and when to eat it avoid foods that will upset the stomach

·understand that dehydration affects the chemical balance of the body and ultimately affects performance

·schedule rehydration (do not wait until thirsty to rehydrate).

•Contact with people

(teammates, opponents, supporters, coaches, family)

· avoid people who exhibit annoying and distracting behaviours

·schedule where and when to see (talk to) these people before games

•Equipment check before game to make sure it is in functional order.

•Development and maintenance of a strategy for concentrating and focussing on the competition.

• Development and maintenance of a strategy for enhancing confidence.

•Information required for Performance

·game objectives

·specific information concerning shape, size, and condition of playing field

· objective tactical and physical information concerning opposing team and specific opponent

· precise technical and tactical responsibilities of the team

·individual technical and tactical responsibilities

·special individual assignments

•Documentation of the essential tasks and/or thoughts that are required to get ready for competition.

•Documentation of possible things that can happen during competition and preparation of appropriate coping strategies.

•Documentation of strategies to adapt to the needs of specific situations such as facilities, weather, and crowd.

•Careful assessment of the role of the coach as it relates to the athlete and the team.

•Documentation of the responsibilities of the athlete.

The Process

Soccer coaches should establish a procedure for instituting and maintaining effective pre-competition strategies for their athletes. The following procedure is recommended:

•Athlete determines possible causes of pre-competition stress. These causes can include:

· fear of failure

·fear of competing against a known tough opponent

· fear of injury

·strange environment

· rowdy fans

· extreme or unfamiliar weather conditions

•Coach assists athlete in designing a coping strategy: take what the athlete is presently doing to prepare mentally for competition and alter it appropriately.

•Athlete experiment with strategy during minor competitions and evaluate its effectiveness after the competition.

•Coach and athlete evaluate strategy for its effectiveness

•Athlete makes necessary changes.

•Coach continually monitors the effectiveness of the athlete's strategy.

Physical Preparation Importance of the soccer warm-up

An important component of pre-game preparation in soccer is an active physical warm-up procedure. During this procedure preliminary physical exercises are performed in order to prepare the body for maximal effort during competition. Therefore, these activities in soccer are designed to:

•Reduce the possibility of injury to the muscles and joints predominantly used in soccer

•Improve joint mobility by stretching the muscle

•Increase body and muscle temperature which can result in increasing:

· the speed and force of muscle contraction (reaction time)

· blood flow and available oxygen to the working muscle (energy transport)

·enzyme activity and therefore, the metabolic reactions which result in making energy available for the working muscles (energy supply). In addition to these benefits, an active physical pre-game warm up with the ball has other positive effects:

•Reduction of pre-competitive anxiety (tension).

•Increase motivation of laid-back athletes.

•An opportunity for athletes to familiarize themselves with the playing environment (the field of play, weather conditions, and the crowd).

•The opportunity to perform soccer techniques such as passing, heading, crossing, shooting, and trapping with the ball.

Structure of the Pre-game Warm-up

The design and structure of the functional team warm should be based on the technical and competitive levels of the players, and the state of playing conditions (weather /temperature).

The following structure is recommended for a function team warm-up for competitive teams (college, high school, junior high school, state and club):

• Jogging and stretching - 5 minutes

• Callisthenic exercises -5 minutes

· involve the major muscle groups used in soccer

·do not fatigue the muscle groups

· recommended exercises include: scissors running, bounding, jumping jacks, shuffling backwards, front karate kicks, side karate kicks, and jogging with arm rotation

·5-10 short sprints

•Line drill exercises - 5 minutes

· pass and follow - chest trap - side volleys - heading

•Group Drills

· five versus two (5 v 2) - 10 minutes

·groups of four players continuously moving, exchanging passes and printing after each pass

· groups of two players exchanging long lofted passes

•Functional team drills - 15 minutes

·Crosses by wingers to strikers: wingers, outside mid-fielders and outside fullbacks dribble balls down the flanks (wing) and deliver crosses for the strikers to head or volley towards goal.

·Combination play and shooting for mid-fielders: Mid-fielders position themselves in one corner of the field defined by one side line and the centre line, and start by interchanging passes, then one mid-fielder dribbles ball to the top of the penalty area for a shot on goal. Mid-fielder shots are alternated with crosses

·Heading and volley clearing for central defenders: Central defenders play long lofted balls to each other to head away and wide or volley away and wide.

·Lead-up game - three versus two (3 v 2) plus the goalkeeper: This game involves three attackers versus two defenders and the goalkeeper. The three attackers starting from the centre of the field combine with each other to produce a shot on goal. They are opposed by two defenders who start from the side of the goal and advance beyond the penalty area to oppose the forwards.

•Open time (time left open to the players for any final preparation) - 5 minutes

Keith Pritchard, ASA