In order to improve, you have to go out and play with maximum effort against the best competition you can find. That is why coaches seek out tough opponents for their non-league matches and teams travel to qualifiers and tournaments across the country, to seek out the best competition.
Even if you are not playing for a team that travels to major tournaments and hopes to get to the big show at Nationals, you still owe it to everyone involved, to get the most out of your time and effort.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
- The night before each tournament, make it your goal to be sure to get enough rest.
- The morning of each tournament, make it your goal to rise early enough so that you have time to eat a healthy breakfast and be completely alert at the start of your first match of the day.
- During each break in the day, make it your goal to eat light and healthy foods, rest when you have time, and be alert and stretched when you take the court for warm-ups for your next match.
- Whenever you feel the urge to stray from this plan, simply remind yourself: "I need to stay focused on what is best for my team, if I don't, I am really telling everyone involved that I am SELFISH!!"
- Your commitment will be continually tested by teammates, opponents, and friends who do not have the same goals as you do. This is especially true of your friends who do not play. Always remember that true friends want you to succeed and will support you in whatever you need to do to perform at your best. Besides, there will always still be opportunities to just go out and have fun-you simply need to show self-discipline and pick your times wisely!
Tips:
- There's an only saying that goes like this: "The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win." Well, I feel this is an even better phrase to remember:
"THE WILL TO PLAY YOUR BEST IS NOT NEARLY AS IMPORTANT AS THE WILL TO PREPARE TO PLAY YOUR BEST!"
What You Need:
- Plenty of Rest
- Healthy breakfast food
- Small healthy snacks
- Supportive Friends