One of the most dreaded times of a college athlete is their pre-season training–it's often the toughest level of training compiled into a matter of weeks or months and can make or break an athlete! 

The worst thing that you could do with this time approaching is second-guess yourself. But even so, you might start wondering about your ability to compete at the level you've chosen and that is not the point of this training. The reason for pre-season is to set you with a strong foundation in your training to have a tremendous competition season. We're here to give you tips on how to prepare and crush your pre-season journey.

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Check Yo' Self

In order to ensure your preparedness for the season, it is crucial to do a self-evaluation. Look at the work that you've done and analyze what could be better. Be harsh with this process so that you are able to make a game plan in changing the things you think could be better. If you are struggling with finding things to improve on, ask a friend to give you some constructive criticism. This is not to bring yourself down–rather, it is intended to assess your strengths and weaknesses and prioritize your training around what is most important. 

Related: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before my First Day of Preseason

Make Adjustments

Now that you've identified the flaws in your game, you need to take action and put in the work to improve yourself. Hold yourself accountable! Training on your own is not easy, especially when your level of intensity is high. To combat this, find a training partner to help you put in the work even when you don't want to. They can also be extremely helpful in keeping a positive mentality when training for the hardest mental test of your season. 

Give it Your All!

The last tip we can give you is to push yourself. This is the part of your season when people aren't there to cheer you on, and where you're not competing against anybody but yourself. It is the most crucial point of your year, and if you put in the work and push past your boundaries it can make the biggest difference when you're in-season. It also won't hurt when you get on campus for the dreaded pre-season. You'll know you put the work in before you even get there. You will show up on the first day, knowing that you prepared as much as you could for whatever situation comes your way.

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* Originally published on August 10, 2022, by Catherine Light