Fall is a mere two months away, and that means that soon, all the major sports will be back in action at once. Baseball will be winding down, football will be kicking off, and basketball and hockey will be starting up.
And while all of those sports are great in their own right, there’s one that always seems to take center stage this time of year: football.
For many people, fall is all about football. From the sound of the crowd on game day to the smell of tailgating food, there’s just something about football that gets people excited.
And when it comes to the game, there are two kinds of people—those who watch, and those who get involved and play.
If you’re one of the latter, then you know that football is a demanding sport. Physically, of course—but also mentally.
To succeed on the field during football season, you need to make sure you’re in peak condition during the off-season. And that means football training—strong muscles, hardcore stamina, and sharp reflexes.
In simple terms—reaching your peak performance.
It’s not just your body that needs to be in top form—your mind does too. After all, football is a complex game that requires split-second decisions. It involves high-level strategy, planning, and execution.
And it can be an emotional roller coaster, with the highs of a touchdown and the lows of a turnover.
So, how can you make sure you’re mentally prepared for the start of football season?
Mental Preparation for Football Season
- Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is important for overall health, but it’s especially crucial for athletes. When you’re well-rested, you’ll have more energy and be able to focus better.
- Eat a healthy diet. Eating nutritious foods helps your body and your brain function at their best.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids helps your body (and your brain) stay hydrated and functioning properly.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise helps improve your mental and physical health. And, it can also help reduce stress, which can be helpful during the demanding football season.
- Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a form of meditation that can help you focus and be present in the moment. And, when you’re able to focus, you’ll be better able to make split-second decisions on the field.
These five tips alone won’t make you a football superstar. But, they will help you get closer to being mentally prepared for the start of the season. So, when the time comes, you can focus on what’s important—playing your best.
It’s a tall enough order to mentally prepare for the physical challenges of football season. But if you’re also trying to impress at the NFL Combine, then you have an even bigger challenge ahead of you.
Preparing for the NFL Combine
To succeed in the NFL Combine, you need to be in even better shape—physically and mentally. The National NFL Scouting Combine is a four-day series of tests that potential NFL players go through, and it’s one of the most important things that they can do to increase their chances of being drafted.
NFL Combine preparation is a demanding process, but if you’re dedicated and put in the work, you can make it through to the other side. And, when you do, you’ll be one step closer to your dreams of playing in the NFL.
One of the most important tests at the Combine is the 40-yard dash—a true test of a player’s speed and acceleration. In order to run a fast 40-yard dash, you need to have strong muscles and good stamina. But you also need to have sharp reflexes.
Reflexes are important in all sports, but they’re especially important in football. That’s because the game is so fast-paced and there’s so much happening at once. If you don’t have sharp reflexes, you’re likely to get caught off-guard and make a mistake.
But it’s mental preparation that will really help you succeed at the NFL Combine. That’s because the Combine is not only a physical test; it’s also a mental one. You’ll be put in situations that are designed to test your decision-making skills, and you’ll need to be able to think quickly and accurately.
You’ll be surrounded by about 300 people who are all vying for the same thing—a spot in the NFL. And, you’ll need to be prepared to handle the pressure and stay calm under pressure.
Many of those other players train physically hard for the Combine. But if you want to be drafted into the NFL, you’ll also need to show them that you’re mentally and emotionally tough.
To do that, you’ll need to have strong mental focus and concentration. You’ll also need to be able to control your emotions. You’ll need to be able to move past failure undaunted, concentrate despite the pressure of scouts and competitors, and perform your best when it matters the most.
If you can do all of that, you’ll be prepped to succeed at the NFL Combine—and ultimately prepped for a successful career in the NFL.
FAST Performance’s NFL Combine Prep
FAST Performance’s NFL Combine Prep provides each individual athlete with personalized, industry-leading instruction; equipping each athlete with tools, understanding, and confidence to perform all testing and evaluation parameters at their highest realizable level. FAST provides current and past NFL player support to mentor and assist all athletes in their preparations for their NFL Combine/Pro Day.
