Pre-season is the preparation period before the official start of a new competitive season. It lasts about four to six weeks, and it aims to help the players build back their physical fitness after their break, integrate new signings, practice tactics, and play friendly matches with other football clubs.
During any pre-season tour, players are not obligated to only do running drills and improve physical condition, but also to integrate, build a strong competitive mentality, and work on team cohesion.
In professional football clubs, it is necessary to prepare for the pre-season tour very well; the planning is carefully designed, and all details are cared about so that players can reach their highest level before the actual season starts.
The players who had longer breaks, did not participate in any international tournament, or did not play until the end of the previous season, join the squad before their teammates who need additional rest.
Pre-season is generally divided into three phases. The first phase is the building of the physical foundation. Players readapt and go back to collective training. They also work on playing methodology, where they focus more on modern, ball-based conditioning like Rondos and possession games.
The second phase is more about football-specific conditioning and tactics. Here, they focus on progressive overload, tactical periodization, and integration. They increase intensity, speed, and try their best to match real game requirements. Coaches also introduce their tactical philosophy, define the team’s objectives, and integrate new signings into the squad.
The third phase is a simulation of the matches; the teams play friendlies to evaluate their tactics and work on tapering, a process where they gradually reduce training volume while maintaining the high intensity to ensure players are fresh for the first competitive fixture.
The pre-season is a very important period for every club and every player. While people tend to forget these weeks quickly, they remain the most important period that decides how the season is going to be for the team and players in the upcoming year.
