Preseason has arrived. How are you feeling about the team at this point?
Many Spirit players have arrived early to start preparing for the February 1st hard start to the 2021 season. Our High Performance Director has been working with everyone in coordinated sessions to establish a good fitness base before we get underway. The 7-day mandatory quarantine period has forced us to sub-divide our groups before we can fully integrate everyone together as a unit, and USWNT camp has deprived us of 4 key players who have been busy since January 9th preparing for the two friendly games vs Columbia. Looking ahead to next month I'm very excited about this year's group. We now have 8 full internationals in our squad, with the 4 USA players, 2 Japan players, Julia Roddar from Sweden and Sydney Schneider with Jamaica. There's obviously going to be a requirement for quite a lot of TTP work (Team Tactical Periodization) since we have a large group of newcomers to the squad, but many of those are experienced professionals and I believe they'll be a quick study. Having 3 weeks in March of warm weather camp in Florida is a blessing, which we're hoping to take huge advantage of in terms of preparation for the season. Hopefully, we'll be in a good place when we get back in late March to start the season.
What is one piece of advice you have for youth players as they head into preseason at their own clubs?
My advice to young players in preseason is to be mindful of early 'loading levels' and try to pace yourself when starting out in readiness for a long Spring season. Smart players work on a progression of fitness and technical standards. Flying out the blocks and trying to hit all the performance markers too early in the period is typical of amateur/youth players. Getting better every day and making small incremental improvements is more in tune with what professional players do during preseason. Have a plan for yourself and work towards making steady progress over a realistic period. (I can hear my High Performance Director now sharing with our Spirit players the same message!)
What is one piece of advice for coaches as they head into preseason at their own clubs?
Coaches should always have a periodized plan in place for technical, tactical and physical progression over the course of the preseason. Assigning preset periods to address particular topics is key. For example, setting aside two sessions or two weeks to address a theme (like 'building out of the back' or 'pressing from the front') is just as important as building fitness levels through a series of progressive physical exercises. Working in microcycles is important, with an introduction, progression and implementation process to embed certain elements of your team's play. If you introduce a theme (fitness, tactical or even technical) in week 1 or session 1, you can progress it in week 2 (or session 2) and then decide whether it has been advanced enough to implement for the team/player before you move onto the next theme. Planning sessions in microcycles is very important going into preseason.
What are some tips you have for youth players to head into preseason fit?
Fitness regimens need to be incorporated into every players' individual daily routine. Basic exercises that require simple bodyweight resistance (like pushups, bench/chair dips, chin ups) and effective core work with plyometrics/stretching should be something players do every single day. Making a daily regimen part of who you are is vital to becoming a well-rounded and effective athlete. Our professional players would not be able to perform at the highest level without a strong mindset towards adhering to comprehensive daily exercise programs.
What are some things players should remember as they move from preseason into their regular season?
Preseason is simply a preparation period for the regular season. If you've managed to progress in a positive trend over the course of preseason then you should be in good all-round shape technically, tactically, physically and mentally going into the period that truly counts. Making a concerted effort in preseason to get better every single day will only pay dividends during the real business end of the season. Our players are indoctrinated with a "more" and "better" philosophy. Be more, do better. Every single day. Once players adopt that mentality, the in-season games naturally become a proving ground where you are invested in being more and doing better. I'd encourage everyone to do the same. BE MORE. DO BETTER!