Welcome. In this blog, I’ll be providing a comprehensive guide on all things pre-season football/soccer, diving into the key elements necessary for players to succeed in the season ahead.
As the off-season draws to a close, football players at all levels eagerly anticipate the start of pre-season – a vital period that sets the stage for the challenges and victories of the upcoming season. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or passionate amateur, this guide is designed to provide you with valuable insights, training strategies and expert advice on how to optimise your performance during this important period.
Pre-season training serves as the bridge between the off-season and the regular campaign, offering a unique opportunity for football players to fine-tune their skills, develop strength and endurance, minimise risk of injury and mentally prepare for the season ahead. Many athletes often credit successful campaigns to the preseason work they completed long before competition began.
In this guide, we will cover a wide variety of topics specifically tailored to pre-season football/soccer training. Whether you’re a player, coach or a team aiming to capitalise on this pre-season, this guide will equip you with the tools necessary to achieve your desired results.
So, before you lace up for the first whistle, lets discuss the essentials that should be embedded into every pre-season schedule, from A-League and VPL to local state league football/soccer.
How to Structure your pre-season football training
To ensure a smooth transition from the off-season to round one of the next season, it’s important to understand what it is you are preparing for. Factors such as level of play, fixture arrangements, team tactics, playing position and individual training history are all key variable that impact your training choices. By being mindful of these details, it’s easier to create a plan of attack, ensuring no stone is left unturned.
It’s also important to understand your pre-season training schedule – the number of weeks, number of sessions and elements of each practice. This allows you to distribute your own individual sessions accordingly. It’s vital to avoid consecutive high intensity training days to minimise the risk of injury and burnout. On the flip side, too many days off will disturb your training rhythm and leave you feeling under-prepared.
The remainder of this blog goes into the finer details of an individual athletic training program.