Pressure of Preparation for Preseason: Essential Components of Getting to the Next Level

So, a few months ago I really started playing with the idea of moving to another country and playing professional soccer for a season or two.  I began doing some research and started looking into clubs, levels, locations, seasons and time-frame for the near future. But as I began to explore my contacts and do my research on this new chapter in my life, my father asked me one question that would smack reality in my face (which he has done very effectively throughout my development). He said “Even if we got everything set in place… flight, living, clubs and trials…will you be ready to leave tomorrow?” 

Hello! The fact of the matter, and what he was hitting directly on the head was that I had just came back from a long trip to South Africa, having not played or trained for 3 months.  Although, I felt confident and optimistic, the truth was, I was not ready.  It’s funny how a player’s mentality can shift as they get older and more experienced.  I remember growing up, preparing or season after season, team after team, try-out after try-out, and being very successful at each step of the way.  And a big part of that was the pressure of preparation. I realize something strikingly similar about the feeling I had growing up each time I took playing to another level.  Every time the pressure of preparation seemed to decrease a little.  It was like getting use to taking tests, or feeling more and more confident and comfortable with preparing for something bigger.   It was like preparing was a task you got better at and the better you got the easier, more efficient and more concise it became. Now, although I feel very confident and efficient with getting into playing shape, this feeling can not by any means replace actually doing IT.

Things to be aware of.

Now, although confidences and comfort in preparation can be a good thing, it should not and cannot replace the work and effort of preparation.  There are 3 Pre’s in “pre-season” or “pre-tryout” that are absolutely crucial for success at any level. 

The first ”Pre” is the Pressure. There needs to be an initial urge, motivation, inspiration for training and getting ready.  There needs to be a balanced and healthy level of pressure for success and failure that is the fuel for training.  Because without the desire to succeed along with the aversion of failure, it is impossible to push to the next level. 

The second “Pre” is the Preparation.  There needs to be an effective and productive preparation that will train you in all aspects needed to get ready for the demands of the game.  This involves “controlling the controllables.” Enhancing, training and preparing individual skill, technique, tactics, mental sharpness, nutrition, and lifestyle.

The third “Pre” is the simple Prefix.  This is the simple meaning of “prior to,” “in advance of,” and “before.” This is a very easy concept, yet the one hardest to maintain. This takes discipline, consistency and planning.   It is vital that time is allotted and maintained before hand so that you can maximize potential.

Together these three very important Pre’s can set the tone for success. The first two, pressure and preparation, sets the foundation for getting ready and the third, sets the tone and time frame for success.  For anyone thinking about, or starting to get ready for preseason or any tryouts, here’s a bit of advise: “Control what you can, and do it with proper timing all in advance…Start early and be consistent.”

Stay tuned for Posts and Articles on My Training Schedule/Program. And Please…Share your current, past or future experiences about the Pressure of Preparation for Preseasons or tryouts, at any level. Cheers!

Spirrs Supports Hollywood Unites for Haiti

Spirrs Coverage of the Inaugural Setanta Cup.

Press Release:

Setanta Sports, a leading broadcaster of Barclays Premier League soccer in the US and Official Sports Channel of the Field House at Chelsea Piers, announced today that it will be hosting the first annual “Setanta Cup” to celebrate its roll-out into the New York area. This all-day soccer festival will feature tournaments for youth (U-10 to U-14) and adult teams, with proceeds from team registration fees, merchandise sales and raffles going to the nonprofit organization, Hollywood Unites for Haiti and the Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund.

The day featured a star-studded exhibition match, presenting the world-famous soccer club, Hollywood United Football Club. HUFC’s famed dazzling line-up included:

Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a Trace”), Brandon Routh (“Superman”), Jimmy Jean-Louis (“Heroes”), Steve Jones (“Sex Pistols”), Youri Djorkaeff and Frank LeBoeuf (Former French Players and 1998 FIFA World Cup Winners), Gilles Marini (“Sex and the City”), Ethan Zohn (Co-founder Grassroot Soccer and “Survivor Africa” Winner), Costas Mandylor (“Saw”), Donal Logue (“Life”), Richard Gough (Glasgow Rangers, Scottish International), and Marc Consuelos (World Renown Actor).

But the real highlight of the day was the nonprofit organization all this publicity aimed to promoted, and that was the Hollywood Unites for Haiti Organization, who’s missions is to promote sports and cultural activities for the underprivileged youth of Haiti.

What HUFH’s founder Jimmy Jean-Louis had to say about the event, “Haiti has suffered many set many setbacks in its rich history and yet the Haitian people have never lost the character to face adversity with creativity, resilience and community.  Events like the Setanta Cup raise money that will help brighten their hearts and minds of kids and encourage them to build confidence, competence and community.”

To learn more about Hollywood Unites for Haiti, Click Here.