Why is Pre-Season Important?

(Cover image from - https://www.efl.com/news/2017/june/pre-season-efl-clubs-return-to-training/)

For many supporters and spectators, Pre-Season games are just seen as friendlies and games that have no value due to the very low stakes for both teams. Despite this most clubs and managers ensure that Pre-Season is taken seriously like any other game on most occasions. Furthermore, for clubs, it is also another way of reaching out to the global audience by travelling to different continents to play these pre-season matches. It shows their appreciation of fans from different parts of the world and gives them a rare opportunity to meet and watch the players live in the flesh. This is just a contributing factor towards the significance of pre-season.

For clubs who have hired new managers, pre-season is a great way for the players to adapt and get to know the new coach - vice versa. Since there is less pressure from fans, it gives the new managers or players time to digest their new surroundings and really find different ways of setting up a team and playing. This period also allows them to identify key players as well as the weaknesses of the team, so that appropriate signing can then be made to bolster their squad's quality. 

For new players, this is a perfect way to integrate within a new squad. These players can be new signings or academy graduates who are possibly on the fringes of making a first-team appearance. Thus in general, this pre-season period helps them understand the demands and ethos of their football club. In addition, providing them with a global platform to showcase their talents and abilities.

Senior players who were already there, it gives them a chance to reflect on the prior season. Whether it was a good or bad season there are always areas they can improve in every year and pre-season is the perfect chance to hone new skills before the start of a new campaign. For those who had an underwhelming season, pre-season is a window for them to regain their manager's trust and rebuild their confidence to play football in a less pressurised environment than they would normally feel during a regular season. Most experts agree mistakes will be a given but it is the best place to make the mistakes so that once the new season begins the players have learnt from them.

Furthermore, mostly all the athletes go on holiday to rest and recover once a season ends. Hence their fitness and intensity levels will have dropped quite significantly. Therefore, pre-season is also used by managers to help their team regain peak match condition and sharpness prior to the season in order to avoid needless injuries during the campaign or a slow start because of potential low match fitness.

Pre-season is equally important for players and managers/coaches hence why most top clubs take their matches seriously no matter who plays whether it be the first or third team. This period is for them to regain sharpness and stamp down their mark to ensure they are fully prepared for their upcoming and harsh campaign.