Are you experiencing a football hangover at the moment? Competitive games have gone, the World Cup is lost for another four years and the start of the new season domestic season is still nearly a whole month away.
All that we have to enjoy currently is the oddest of sporting beast – the pre-season friendlies. Now, the phrases “dead rubber” and “damp squib” may come to mind when you think about the light-hearted games that take place in far-flung corners of the world at this time of the year, but in actual fact there’s not a team in the country that would do without these matches.
With the Premier League teams clocking up an astounding 176,000 air miles this summer, there’s got to be good reason to globe trot for matches.
Firstly, these tours are important in spreading the football gospel. Yes, events like the recent world cup in Brazil may have sparked temporary interest in nations such as the United States but once it ends they go back to sports such as their version of “football” but it’s these “soccer” tours that keep the fire alive in these countries. Clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United will have visited our neighbours across the pond by the end of the month.
But from a coach’s perspective, the more important reason for these tours is getting a team sharp for the season ahead. This includes perfecting the way a team works together, developing an understanding between players, refining tactics at set-plays, and so forth.
Perhaps just as importantly, however, is the essential conditioning work done during the off season. It’s at this time of year that training sessions are at their most gruelling. Why
Sunderland Manager, Gus Poyet, said recently:“People need to realise pre-season is hard and players need to suffer a little bit, mentally as well as physically. The more you suffer now, the less you’ll suffer later. If you get pre-season right you’ll be ready.”
Of course it’s not just about hours of shuttle sprints and 5-aside either. This time of year is important in working on physical weaknesses such as tight hamstrings, groin issues or back problems to see an individual through the rigours of a busy footballing calendar.
Intensive physio work, stretching exercises, gym sessions and nutritional changes all play an important role in developing a player’s conditioning.
Visit www.westlondonphysio.co.uk for more information
