The Pre-Season Phase and Its Significance

Prior to the professionalization of sports, players used to gather right before they were scheduled to play against opposition. There was nothing about preparing the body for what was to come. As carefree and casual as this method was, it wasn't good for players' bodies. However, players had no choice because they had full-time jobs and other responsibilities that made the game a non-priority. As soon as the game turned pro, changes had to be made in terms of how players approached the game as it was now considered a full-time job for them. Training schedules had to be adjusted and dietary plans had to implemented with immediate effect.

Players were required to give up their full-time professions in order to dedicate more of their time to the game. They were also expected to moderate their intake of alcohol and food considered unhealthy. This may sound easier than it was, but that is far from it. A lot of players found it difficult to adjust to this new lifestyle change and it continues to be the case, even today. The challenge that comes with pre-season is that it occurs at a time when people would rather be with friends and family. In the northern hemisphere, it would be during the summer time of June, July and August. Players would much rather enjoy beverages along the beach than to be doing fitness, lifting weights and running plays repeatedly, while being yelled at by the coaching staff.

Pre-season in the Southern Hemisphere provides more of a challenge as it is during the November, December and January period. The Christmas holiday period is a time when players should be with family and sacrificing that time because pre-season, can be tough for some players. Over the years, teams have become more lenient to players regarding the family holiday season and they try to manage players on a case-by- case basis. Apart from the mental and emotional challenges, the pre-season phase is the best opportunity for teams to set themselves up for a successful season.

A Time For Injured Players to Heal

Pre-season is the perfect time to assess players' health and fitness. Those who require minor and major surgery are given the opportunity to do so without worrying about missing games. It also gives the players enough time to recover from their injuries and properly rehabilitate themselves back to full fitness.

A Time For Players to Improve Their Strength & Conditioning Level

Pre-season is the perfect time for players to improve the one thing that requires their greatness- their bodies. It doesn't matter how skilled or talented a player is, if their strength and conditioned is poor, they cannot perform well. At pro level, the game is faster, more intense and extremely physical. Players with poor conditioning struggle to last the entire season and tend to fade away as the season reaches its peak. During the pre-season stage, players have an opportunity to get fitter by running in fitness drills, stronger by hitting the gym and lifting weights and faster by doing explosive and plyometric exercises.

A Time to Improve Skill Level

There is no such thing as a perfect player. Athletes in all sporting will always have strengths and weaknesses within their game. Pre-season is the perfect time for players to work on their skills. In soccer, players constantly need to work on their shooting ability for accuracy. They also need to work on their passing and tackling ability. The goalkeepers need to consistently practice keeping the ball out the goal posts. These are skills they need to be good at- to insure the team's success. It's a process of continuous improvement . Players can always get better!

A Time to Strategize the Game Plan

In life, for success to come, a plan is needed. Every team going into a competition has the hopes of winning the championship. The one that achieves that success is the team that has the best strategy, game plan and execution technique. The pre-season stage offers coaches enough time to implement and to drill the game plan into players by repetition at practice. Players are able to practice the game plan in every single training session until it becomes second nature to them. Strategizing also requires off-the-field work such as watching film from the previous season and analyzing what to adjust and how it needs to be adjusted.

A Perfect Time For Player/Coach/Trainer Recruitment

The norm of professional sports is that players and coaches come and go all the time. Players are sometimes traded and coaches' contracts either terminated or not renewed. It is the same principal as what other business industries are like. The pre-season phase is the perfect opportunity for sports teams' front offices- to introduce new players, new coaches or new strength and conditioning trainers. This time of the season allows them to assimilate and adjust to their new work environment. Players and coaches who join teams during the season- often struggle with adjustments because everything is happening at a rapid pace for them.

By: Zila Mbekela

Sports Agent and Freelance Writer