Former USA Volleyball National Team Member and TrueSport Parent Candace Lee-Vering shares three big keys to having a successful pre-game routine that will help your athletes perform their best.
Video Transcript
Hi, I’m Candace, and I’m a TrueSport Ambassador. Throughout my volleyball career, I have learned a lot about what it takes to be successful and one key contributor was having a pre-game routine.
My pre-game routine has three steps. The first step occurs the day before my match. I always make sure that my game bag is packed so that I don’t have to worry about it the next day. No one wants to run around looking for their missing sneaker right before a game.
Step two starts the minute I wake up on game day. I begin my morning with positive thoughts and visual imagery, both of which help reduce stress and maximize performance. When you train your mind to visualize and see your desired outcome, your muscles and body will follow giving you a mental edge over your competition.
And last but certainly not least, no pre-game routine is complete without a yummy pre-game meal. About three to four hours before exercise, you should consume foods consisting mostly of carbs along with small amounts of protein and fat. In the morning, I’ll eat a piece of avocado toast, a bowl of cereal with sliced up bananas, and a glass of orange juice. In the afternoon or evening, I’ll make some pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach or a baked potato stuffed with broccoli and fat-free sour cream.
The important thing to remember is that everyone’s pre-game routine is going to be a little different and that’s okay. Find the method that works best for you and stick with it.
