How to Prepare Yourself for a Game

          Mentally and physically preparing yourself for a game is very important and can affect how well you perform in a match. You should prepare yourself by eating and hydrating right, being mentally ready and focused, and being physically ready to go before and during a game.

          Hydrating and eating right before a game is proven to make you play better. You should drink plenty of water before, during and after a game. Before a game you should also watch what you eat. If you have an early morning game, make sure you eat a healthy breakfast. The worst thing is playing when you feel like you ate too much so don’t have a huge breakfast. If you are playing back to back in the afternoon during your normal lunch time, if it is okay with your coach, it is a good idea to bring a snack on the bench with you to eat in between sets. Some good options would be a granola bar, crackers, pretzels, dried fruit, fruit snacks, goldfish, etc.

          To prepare mentally for a game you should develop a routine you do before every game. What helps me is listening to music but it can be different for everyone. Some people like to watch the team they are going to play next, go for a jog, or talk to their teammates about the upcoming game. You should find whatever works best for you and do that before every game.

          To prepare physically for a game you should make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before you play. Approximately half an hour to an hour before you play your team should come up with a warm up that you are going to complete before every game. A warm up should get you prepared to play right when you step on the court.  

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