Gearing up for Training Camp - A Players Diary - Kim Yokers

As all the youth teams in my area are approaching tryout time, and parents are looking for training options to prepare their players for tryouts, I find it interesting to be in a similar position.  I recently attended three different tryouts for the new Women’s Pro Soccer league, and have been invited in to join the team in training camp for the Bay Area’s FC Gold Pride.  There are seven teams total in the new league this year across the nation, with a few cities marked for expansion next year.  In training camp, 28 players will compete for a spot on the 22-player roster (4 players of which will not be paid, but will train with the Pride and play games with the Bay Area’s “farm” team – the Storm).   

So here I am, negotiating with some nervousness and excitement, and looking forward to this upcoming challenge.  Because I was not drafted in January as one of the pro team’s initial picks, I have had to keep my perspective steady.  I had to remind myself of the same things I would tell any young player who is disappointed about a game, nervous for an event, or questioning their ability.  There are two main things I know, but am continuing to learn…

One is to be realistic about where I am at, my abilities, and my willingness to put in the time needed to improve…and then to go out there and do the work.

The second is that when it comes down to the day where I need to perform, the best thing I can do is – as a good coach and friend of mine put it – “Zen Out”.  Don’t think, just play. Of course, sometimes easier said than done. 

In training to prepare for tryouts and for striving to play at a professional level, it is important to give attention to the different areas that make an athlete successful.  The total soccer player is keyed in to their game physically, technically, tactically, and psychologically.  None of these areas can be ignored, particularly the psychological aspect of the game.  This is because it has to do with all of your training - your attitude at practice, how you deal with successes and mistakes in a game, how much effort you put in, how you manage your emotions, confidence, etc.  Psychological tools such as visualization and training your mind to focus for longer periods of time are absolutely key to better performance and more rapid improvement.  That is the foundation for which technical success can then take place.  In order to make something you do second nature, you have to do it over and over again. And if you want to have good habits in soccer, you have to do it over and over again with the right technique.

The physical aspect of the game is greatly valued, particularly in American soccer, and is very important.  If I don’t have the fitness, or the quickness, speed and strength to do the things I know how to do, then that knowledge and those skills are somewhat useless.  In preparing for tryout events I have focused a lot on the technical aspect of the game, making sure my skills continue to improve and my consistency, and spending time with the ball.  Now for this upcoming training camp, I have put increased emphasis on my agility, speed and strength to make sure I am ready to physically execute the skills under higher pressure.

Putting myself in as many playing environments as possible has been a challenge, but very important as well.  Playing with boys and jumping in on coed games has been one avenue, and also working with a couple other female players who are playing in this new league.  Tracy Hamm (drafted to the Bay Area team) and Natalie Spilger (drafted to the Chicago team) are two Bay Area locals who have dedicated themselves to training for this new league as well.  From running sprints together, to training at Sutton Soccer to accelerate our skills and our touch, to training with men’s teams and local High Schools, we have helped each other pursue this goal.  And we have been doing it because we enjoy playing so much and love the game. 

With less than a week before training camp, I have been particularly focusing on the psychological aspect of my game.  Visualizing myself executing skills, moving across the field, connecting passes, sending long balls, scoring goals…Generating a calm perspective to deal with any mistakes…reflecting on why I am pursuing this goal, so I have a balanced perspective.  These are all things that I know will help me play more like myself.  And of course from there I hope to experience the excitement and outward success of making that team, scoring that goal, receiving that recognition. But I genuinely will say that whatever happens, I want to know that I played and competed as my best self.  That really is the most important sense of accomplishment any person or athlete can have.

Kim Yokers currently plays for the California Storm and trains players at Sutton Soccer in Alameda