Training Camps/Pre Season

This is the time of the year when high school and collegiate fall sports are in training camps doing their preseason work. This also the time of the NFL training camps. I also enjoy watching and listening to coaches comment at this time of year. I contend that more championships are lost and players wasted during this time than any other phase of the year. No is NOT the time to build and increase workload, it is the time to sharpen and fine tune with competition appropriate training. Even testing during this time can be harmful if not carefully chosen. Endurance tests are the tests of choice, but what happens if the individual or a team tests poorly on endurance? There is not time to make any changes; if you do more work on that quality you will hurt them. The hay is already in barn as they say. The real work is done leading up tot the pre season training. (See wwwgambetta.com downloads for a collegiate soccer program) Remember the principle of context. The context of preseason is the final preparation for the competitive season. Competition is the goal, not training.