"The Map" Part 5 - How to Recover Quickly from Match to Match

Your post-match routine is another area where developing simple routines can be beneficial.
At the end of any contest there is the desire to relax, celebrate perhaps, reflect on performances and identify ‘what went wrong’.

In order to make this period as productive as possible you can employ:

Physical Recovery Routines
You might include a stretching and icing pattern (particularly if you are prone to stiffness or chronic muscle or joint injuries) or the use of a cold bath immediately after a game. The following morning have a light run or a swim. The point of these activities is not only to aid recovery, but also to allow you to assess whether you have the usual post-match soreness or have strained or injured something.

Mental Recovery Processes

This includes thinking about:

• The things you enjoyed most about the game
• The things you did well
• Areas you might handle differently in the future.

It should always be positive and forward looking and where possible should involve a second or third person whose opinion and ideas you trust. This is best done a little while after the "heat of battle" when everyone can look at performance in a less emotional way.
A word to parents here: Never have a detailed conversation about how your son or daughter performed in the car on the way home from the game. Your conversation should focus on finding out how much fun your child had and reinforcing your support for them regardless of how they performed.

The Ritual

Players often find themselves dwelling on poor performances much longer than the good ones and this can have a very negative impact on development. Having a special routine whereby you celebrate the successes of the team – individual good performances or collective efforts – can help you ‘finish’ the day and thus move forward quite quickly so you can prepare for the next game in a positive, focused and enthusiastic manner.
This ritual may involve singing the ‘team song’; shaking hands and congratulating or commiserating with each of your team mates; or simply listening to the same favourite piece of music in the car on the way home. It is so important to move on after each game. Find some little ritual and I am sure this process will start working for you.

Remember: If you stay physically and mentally fit you give yourself the best chance of improving your game and achieving you goals.