I've been feeling exceptionally fatigued lately. My legs don't seem to have that explosion in them that they usually have. Taking a break isn't an option because I'm in season right now and we are getting very close to the national tournament and currently ranked 5th in the country, so coach will not let me have a break...in fact, he expects me to work the hardest in the center of the pitch as I am supposed to be the engine room of the squad. But the 3 matches per week coupled with training and 730am classes every morning is starting to take a toll on me. I'm eating all the carbs I can, pastas, potatoes, breads, rice...and getting my protein as well. So I was just wondering if anyone had any tips how to overcome fatigue....thanks.
You're not in a very good situation, I'll tell you that. It might be that your preparation during the off-season wasn't strong enough, cause that's usually case when your form starts to go down at the end of the season. But 3 games a week is too much! Your coach really sucks if he won't let you rest, because obviously you have over-trained. He should know that. He is messing with your health. When an athlete has overtrained, he has to start resting at once, and after a good rest start training lightly. That's especially the case with pro's who train twice a day, if you train once a day your health isn't in as big a risk. Other suggestions - drink sports drinks during and after training and games. Are you eating enough fruit and vegetables as well as carbs and proteins? Those are very important to get your body to function properly (vitamins and minerals). And drink a lot - if you constantly have enought water in your body it will make you less tired! And try to relax a lot during your free time, watch movies etc, get your mind of training.
Another thing that has worked for me in a similar situation is taking a 45 minute run one day. It gets me back into shape when I've been playing too many games. (Like one time in the summer I played 4 games in 4 consecutive days).
Be sure to get enough sleep. Go to bed early. Take every chance you have to relax. There comes a point at which more training and games hurts your performance instead of helping it. It will also have an impact on your mental health and schoolwork.
It's not that I'm not fit...actually, I'm incredibly fit. My summer conditioning was playing in the PDL(Premier Development League...so my fitness wasn't even a problem...I played 22 matches this summer and went the entire 90 minutes in each one...so fitness wasn't an issue. But my coach is a book learned coach...he never played, so he doesn't quite understand the rigors of training and matches. Our training sessions usually last 2 hours and always end with about 20 minutes of non stop fitness...his idea of fitness is sprinting 200 yards, jogging to the 18 and back, sprinting 200 yards, jogging to the 18 and back...and so on. Then he might have us sprint a lap around the entire pitch...rest 30 sec, and repeat like 10x. Now this fitness isn't that bad for me in itself...but when 2 days before we played a match and have a match the day after tomorrow, it starts to take a massive toll on my body. Also, he doesn't use his subs at all. He'll sub our strikers in and out the entire match, cause they're not that fit...but I've been subbed once and it was for the last 10 minutes of a match we were winning 9-0...I could've rested the entire 2nd half IMO because we had a match the very next day(part of a tournament). I drink water constantly...probably a gallon a day. And eat fruits and vegetables at every meal. I look after my body like no one else I have ever met because of the position I play and the role I am expected to play on this squad. I went for a massage today after training and then took a whirlpool for about 30 minutes and I'm feeling better. We have a match Wednesday and I spoke to my coach today and asked him if I could do my own individual training tomorrow as I was feeling quite stale and tired, and he told me that I could do that...so that's good news. Thanks for the help guys.
Well, he let me train on my own today. I did some light jogging, stretching, juggling and ball work...had the trainer for our team assist me in some partner ball work....about an hour's worth total. I'm feeling quite good right now, I slept from the time I got home from training, 5pm until dinner time 730pm and now I'm gonna go lay down and rest and hopefully fall asleep. We have a big match tomorrow and if I feel tomorrow like I do now, I'll be brilliant. Well, I'm gonna go eat a gatorade bar, banana, and drink some water and go to bed. Let you guys know how we do tomorrow. Blake
gerr18, you play for a top 5 team in the country and you played in the premier developmental league. Is there any chance you'll ever play in the MLS?
Well, we beat the 2nd place team in our conference 6-0...so that was a huge win for us. I went the whole 90, had a goal and 2 assists...but did something to my hip, cause it hurts like hell now. I don't know if I pulled a muscle or did something to a ligament or tendon(are there even ligaments and tendons in the hip region?)...but it hurts to even pass the ball with my right foot. So I played with my left foot mainly for the final 25 minutes or so...I hit 4 or 5 long balls with my right foot and it killed, but I had to hit them. Anyways...we had the day off today and have a match Saturday night.
which team do you play for? A local team nearby me is #3 in the country now and is quite overrated if you ask me....I'd be interested to hear just how good your team is