How do you prepare your players to stay focused and keep nerves in check for regional or state tournaments?
Todd Garvey Mercy Academy - 2008 Kentucky State Volleyball Champions
We prepare our players by pushing them to their limits everday in practice and trying to put pressure on them day in and day out. When the time comes they feel like they been through something similar before and are usually condfident and relaxed. We also never look ahead and take one game at a time.
Chris Moore Sacred Heart Academy - 2008 7th Region Soccer Champion
During the postseason we keep our players focused by concentrating on the next opponent we will face and by not looking too far ahead. We also spend more time in practice concentrating on specific details, such as set plays, strategy and our opponents strengths and weaknesses, as well as individual players. I believe this helps keep the players calm by giving them specific details and objectives to concentrate on for each game. I also find that the postseason is an important time to refocus our team goal. In doing so we are able to get every player on the same page and working together as a team to achieve the goal they have set.
Debra Moore duPont Manual, 2007 Boys' Class 3A KY Cross Country Champion
During the cross country season, we put a lot of emphasis on training fundamentals and teamwork, both in practice and at the meets. Later in the season we shift our emphasis to also include racing and pacing techniques. When its time for the regional and state competitions they know they can trust their training and their teammates who will be out there on the course with them.
Ty Scroggins Central High School Football, 2007 Class 3A Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl Champion
Scheduling has a lot to do with keeping their nerves. We play a schedule that requires us to be mentally prepared every game. During the week of the State Championship game we made sure we did not change anything up. Our normal routine is what we stuck with. We approached that game just like any other game. Another key was just to stay loose and have fun. Enjoy the moment and take everything in.
