Everyone will have a different approach to the end of the beach season, but if you are truly committed to your craft and the game, then you gotta be treating beach volleyball as a year long endeavor that isn't necessarily comprised of a "regular season" and "off season", but rather consisting of "playing" and "non-playing" stages.
Of course where you live, access to the beach/sand courts has a lot to do with when your "season" season starts, but you should have an idea in your mind already of when you would like to play your first tournament, and how many you would like to play. With some of this out of the way, here are a few tips that I've refined over the years, that help me better prepare for next year's long haul from the thawed out Spring to the brisk Fall months.
1. Sustain
You've just been through several months of hard training, and long days at the beach, so even if your body is getting tired and worn out, you're still in great physical shape. So for the next few months you are going to be in an awkward time where you aren't quite in training mode but you aren't going to shut it down either. At this point you goal should be simple: Make it to next year in just as good shape as you are now.
You don't want to start next year in a hole, or waste time building up your conditioning before you even start practicing and drilling. Of course you will have to build up your cardio, legs, and shoulder over the course of the season but there main areas that are easy to sustain. During the next few months you should keep a workout schedule for your core and upper body, and setting time aside for stretching, yoga, and generally improving your flexibility. I've learned this past year that flexibility is an often untapped asset for players, and in addition to helping recover and prevent injuries, it pays off immensely to have this aspect of your body built up. Besides, you will get your beach legs in eventually, so now is the time to give them some rest.
2. Diet
Now of course you've been super disciplined these last few months to give your body the proper energy it needed to get through workouts and the matches on the weekends, but now is no time to let loose because there are troubles ahead. Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner, so slipping up now by indulging in some grease will make the slope you're standing on a little bit slipperier, and next thing you know you'll find yourself wearing an permanent 15 pound weight vest. Again you don't want to waste time next year fixing last year's mistakes, so stay focused and stay on track. Let Thanksgiving and Christmas be your rewards for being disciplined up to this point.
Nuh uh, none fo you!
3. Save
Get ahead of the curve and start saving now for new equipment, apparel, balls, and tournament fees. Lets not forget that this is when you should be stocking up on your vacation time so that you can call off of work to enjoy those "perfect" weather days. When summer rolls around you would much rather cap off a long day with a few beers with your buddies instead of having to pack it in early to get up for work the next day.
4. Study
The game is best played when you and your body is just reacting to what is happening. To set yourself up for success now is the time to train yourself mentally for the different situation it may face and what it should do when those situations arise. Visualize it over and over, believe me it helps. Also if you can't watch video of yourself playing, just watch all the different videos online and learn from those players strengths and weaknesses.
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