Traveling for a significant amount of time before a match or a tournament can take a toll on your players. A long drive or a long flight, followed by unusual food, a foreign gym, a possible time zone and weather change and an odd schedule is plenty to throw your team off its game.
Many elements are outside of your control when you travel and it is for that reason that you have to make sure to take hold of anything and everything that you can control so that you can keep your team as much in their usual routine as possible.
If you don't have a normal home routine, create one. Giving players the regularity of schedule helps them prepare mentally and physically for a match. As the matches get more competitive and more is at stake, this routine will help to normalize their preparation and can help to calm their nerves.
Once you've created that routine, stick to it whether at home or away. As you travel more distance it may be more difficult to maintain, but the more you can do to stay with your program, the better your players will perform despite the circumstances.
Here are a few tips for playing well on the road:
Prepare the Mind - Adaptability is Key
Prepare the Body - Food and Rest
Prepare the Team - Get on the Court Early
