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How are you tipping your scales?
My most favorite analogy is that of having a scale to measure one's progress toward a goal. This scale is like the balance
used to represent justice. It has 2 sides that one can add items to and the scale tips toward the heavier side. In using the
scale for measuring a goal, each action that effects that goal is either a plink on the good side or a plink on the bad side.
As an example let's define the goal to be something like 'I want to juggle a ball the length of the soccer field.'
On day 1 you go out and juggle for a half hour, but can't get past the 18. This is still a plink on the good side. Day 2 it
is raining, so you don't do anything. This is a plink on the bad side because you could have found somewhere to juggle. Day
3 you juggle in the morning and then go back in the evening to work at it some more. That's 2 plinks to the good. Day 4 you
get busy with other things and don't juggle - plink to the bad. Day 5 you have to go to grandma's and you forget your ball
- plink to the bad again. Day 6 you juggle, but get mad and quit after 5 minutes - a plink, again to the bad.
This good plink - bad plink is not helping you to reach your goal very quickly. After a week you have several good plinks
and several bad plinks. They offset each other and the scale is barely tilted in one direction (be it good or bad). Had some
or all of those bad plinks been good plinks, you may have already achived your goal. This concept of plinking the scale can
be used for almost everything you do... For example, cleaning your room. Every time you undress you plink the 'keeping my
room clean' scale. If you throw your shirt in the corner - plink to the bad. Put it where it belongs - plink to the good.
At the end of the week you have a clean room, a pig sty, or a room that can be cleaned in a few minutes. If you 'THINK PLINK'
on your every action, and you almost always PLINK ON THE GOOD SIDE' life will be so much easier and enjoyable!
Nutrition
The human body is amazing in so many ways. A great comparison is likening the body to a cruise ship. For a cruise ship to
fulfill its primary purpose it must be loaded with many items and perform many tasks. It has electrical systems, mechanical
systems, plumbing and waste disposal. It needs fuel to move and other items to keep its passengers happy.
The body also has an electrical (nervous) system, mechanical (muscles and bones), plumbing in the form of arteries and
veins, and even a waste system. The body gets all its supplies from what you eat and drink. In order for it to work at its
optimum level, a balanced diet and plenty of water are a must.
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Strength and Conditioning
Weight training should be incorporated into every player's routine. I recommend you lift 4 times a week. You should develop
2 programs and perform them on alternate days. These 2 programs should work different muscle groups. I also recommend working
opposing muscles in the same workout. A simple way to do this is to do pairs of exercises, one a pushing exercise and one
a pulling exercise. Examples of opposing muscles are bicep-tricep, back-pectoral.
Those of you making both practices and the game every week have a good beginning to a cardio program. Soccer is about
starting, stopping, changing direction and moving at different speeds. You should model your work outs with this in mind.
Running 3 miles will do little more for you than make you a good 3 mile runner.
How's that stinky foot?
I tell my U8 team that they have one clean foot and one stinky foot. For most of them (and you), that is their left foot.
I also tell them that the best way to get rid of the stink is to touch or kick a ball. Every time you touch the ball some
of the stink rubs off. We do many drills to force you to use your weaker foot. You must make using your weaker foot a top
priority!
Indoor season is underway. The team is split into 2 teams to help with conditioning and increase playing time.
Post workout refueling
When you work out you use up the glucose in your muscles. The best think you can do for your body is to refuel it to replace
spent fuel. A recommended ratio of carbs to protien is 4:1.
If you want information on post workout recovery products, I do recommend Advocare's Recovery drink. As an Advocare
Advisor, I can provide you with information and products in Advocare's Sports performance line of products.
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