Can we switch off while staying focused in the off season?

Across all age groups, from local level, to semi professionals to the pro’s our football season is getting longer and longer.

In this article I am going to explore how mental fatigue can set in due to overtraining, and the negative effects this may be having on the development of each individual, and our sport.

“Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard”.

I completely agree with this age old saying. No professional footballer got to where they were without putting 1,000’s upon 1,000’s of hours of practice in. But we need to look at what practice took place:

• Was their training constantly pushing them physically and mentally?
• From an early age did they play different sports?
• Was all of their training in an organised environment?
• Are they offered breaks throughout the season?
• Was it their dream, or their parents dream?

It seems to me, with training more accessible than ever, players everywhere are being encouraged to just do more and more to give them the edge.

It is well known now that it is during rest when improvements occur. Our body recovers from the work it has done and makes sure it is better for next time we work. If this is the case physically – surely this must be the same mentally as well?

Where else do we see rest occurring?

Let’s first take a look at the most basic level – school. Years are broken into manageable chunks, with regular rest not only allowed, but mandatory. Why aren’t we encouraging our kids and teachers to keep working when they have a break?

Even in the workplace, we are given a minimum of 4 weeks holiday per year in Australia. Companies in Germany are ensuring emails do not get to their employees while they are on vacation. A company in Holland even lifts chairs from the floor at 6pm to ensure people aren’t staying and late and working harder and harder!

Yet footballer’s are constantly told to train more to get better, often without any long term plan in place. They are encouraged to do more in the off-season to either catch up or get ahead of others. At this point I would like to again add that I am all for planned and purposeful off-season training, it is vital to prepare the player and get them ready. However…

Are you going to fall behind if everyone else is getting extra training in?

No!

This isn’t to say, have a month or two off, sit on your backside, put on 5kg and undo all your previous work. I am saying maybe get away from football as you know it. See a different group of friends. Take up tennis, go on walks – anything.

Stay active and keep your eye on the long game.

The point is to allow your body and your brain to rest, and then come back hungrier than ever.

We see it all the time, where footballers physical test scores are fine, but they aren’t performing well at key moments in the season. Chances are they didn’t rest when they had the chance, and now their motivation has dropped at a critical time.

So can we stay focused by switching off?

My answer to you all, is the best way to stay on track, is to completely switch off when you get a chance.

Have a plan in place, keep moving and keep thinking. But allow yourself some time off – you deserve it. I recommend this for players of all ages and abilities. Take some time to learn a new skill, be it a musical instrument, a new sport – take up Sudoku!

Know when it is time to come back, then make sure your training is purposeful towards your goals.

You will have a new lease of life and get off that plateau, making next season your best yet!

Check out KIKOFF's off-season conditioning program to keep on top of your skills and fitness.