Column: Offseason important for training

By: Ari Horing/ Staff Reporter

Posted: 11/21/08

When an athletes' regular season ends, the offseason starts. The offseason gives players a chance to mentally recuperate and rest their bodies.

However, some athletes have the mistaken assumption that the offseason serves as time off to relax and forget about playing their respective sport. That's why I believe the offseason should be referred to as the developmental season.

If an athlete takes his sport serious, the offseason gives that player a chance to improve on the aspects of his game they didn't have time to work on during the regular season.

For example, if a player feels as though he isn't strong enough, the offseason gives that player time to hit the weight room, lift and get stronger.

Another example is if a player feels as though their non-primary foot or hand isn't quite good enough. The offseason gives that a player a chance to improve that weakness.

In some ways the offseason is more important than the actual season. While regular season training focuses more on making a team's chemistry and game plan better, offseason training focuses more on individual improvement. If the offseason isn't taken seriously, players on the team may not improve, or even worse, regress and the team will ultimately suffer.

Although players should work hard and improve their games in the offseason, they still need find a good balance between relaxation time and training time. If a player can find that perfect balance between training and time spent enjoying the freedom after the regular season, they can go a long way in preparing themselves for a great season next year.

Ari Horing is a junior on the men's soccer team and a sociology major. He can be reached at 581-7944 or at akhoring@eiu.edu.