Physical and Mental
Pre-match preparation
By: Omar
El Swifi
ElSwifi
Player interview
After a brief introduction to the player of what I was undertaking, I let the player discuss and talk openly as to what they saw as pre-match preparation. It became apparent in the interview that the player had grown up with different forms of preparation and the majority of his preparation was dictated by whoever was coaching him. Even at the top level, certain procedures and processes have been suggested to the player, which the player had picked up on to implement without either understanding or buying into what he was doing. The interview did last some time, but towards the end of each interview I did ensure the following issues had been addressed:
• Did he really want match preparation and how structured did he require it to be?
• What did he want, not what did the coach want, as individuals in respect of pre-match preparation?
• Produced a check list to ensure that we had covered:
o Week prior to game.
o Day prior to game.
o Game day prior to arrival at ground.
o Arrival at ground
o Dressing room prep.
o Warm-up.