sportskeeda
For a Sunday league footballer, PRE-SEASON is quite simple.
It usually involves three friendly matches, along with some players taking part in one ‘fitness’ session. This session generally includes a few stretches, a lap around the pitch, and a crossbar challenge, after which the team heads to the local pub for a few pints.
3
3
3
In stark contrast, professional players at EFL side Cambridge United in League Two experience something entirely different.
They undergo demanding workouts, rigorous technical training sessions, and are continuously monitored for diet, sleep, hydration, and recovery, ensuring they are in top shape when the season starts.
With Brooks as their new front-of-shirt sponsor, the commitment of Cambridge United’s players to fitness is at an all-time high.
I had the opportunity to visit the club’s training ground and witness what pre-season looks like for a professional.
Interestingly, our session kicked off similarly with a jog around the pitch and some stretches, but everything that followed was dramatically different from my typical routine.
Complex fitness drills were presented in a way that felt akin to having a board game explained to me in Japanese, by someone who had only ever seen the instructions upside down.
I struggled to navigate the pitch during various drills, with my heart racing and blood pressure soaring after years of inactivity.
After about 30 minutes of this high-intensity training, I found myself kneeling on the ground, gasping for water and feeling faint.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
This was before I witnessed the team perform ball drills, demonstrating the exceptional technical skills needed to compete at a professional level.
Each player’s performance is monitored using a personal WHOOP band, providing coaches insights into sleep patterns, workload, and recovery status.
EFL star ignites furious brawl, chased by opponents after ‘one of the worst tackles you’ll ever see in a friendly’
Moreover, player attitudes have changed; the days of carefree summers filled with indulgent meals and returning to pre-season out of shape are nearly gone. In fact, it appears that the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction.
Today’s footballers eagerly showcase their personal training regimes on Instagram during the off-season, presenting new challenges for clubs as players risk overtraining or injuries even before the official campaign begins.
Cambridge United closely monitors this, ensuring their players are thoroughly prepared for the upcoming season.
