Mental and Physical Preparation for Summer Sport Camps

I had a conversation with a coach recently and he commented on how out of shape his varsity team was for the team camp they attended. He had a workout routine for them, told them the camp would be intense, and informed the parents of the schedule. Needless to say, he was pretty disappointed when his team camp became an endless stream of injuries and a lot of complaining. Had his team members been ready and prepared for the camp, they would have progressed a lot further instead of running to the trainer.

Here are a couple of ways to make sure your athlete is prepared:

1. Follow any workout routines given by the camp or coach. Some elite level camps will send out workout programs prior to the start of the camp. If not, then be sure to work out on your own.
2. Take equipment that fits properly and is broken in. Oftentimes athletes will take a new pair of shoes or cleats to a camp, but this can lead to blisters and sore feet. If you need to wear new equipment, be sure to wear it around the house or a training session prior to the start of the camp.
3. Properly hydrate! This is so important, especially during the hot summer months. Hydrate the day before the camp starts and keep drinking water throughout the camp. Sport drinks are a good idea when you are exercising for longer than 60 minutes. Also, avoid soda and caffeinated beverages.
4. Take time to warm-up and cool-down after the camp. I know after a long day at camp, most athletes just want to get in the air conditioned car and go home, but it’s vital that they cool their body down and stretch properly to avoid muscle soreness and overuse injuries.

It’s just as important to prepare mentally as it is physically for camp. Athletes often go into a camp with very little thought or mental preparation. Most likely their parents have signed them up for camp and they roll out of bed in the morning to go. This is a recipe for disaster and can become very expensive daycare for teenagers. Athletes should keep the following in mind for mental preparation:

1. Even if their parents signed them up, they should set goals around how they want to improve after the camp.
2. Be open and welcoming of new information and coaching feedback. Often athletes are not accepting of feedback from other coaches and are resistant to trying new things. If this is your attitude, then stay home.
3. Mentally prepare for the physical challenges of the camp and have a good attitude.
4. Use the camp setting to practice mental skills training such as relaxation, mental imagery, goal setting, communication, and performance under pressure. Camps are a great place to recognize your strengths and develop your weaknesses.

Attending summer camps is another avenue to advance an athlete’s physical and mental performance. Since you are making a monetary investment into the camp, be sure your athlete is ready to make the physical and mental commitment they need to get the most out of it.

Like this article? Like us on Facebook too. Or follow us on Twitter.