At the end of the season, athletes are physically and mentally exhausted and need a chance to recover. The post-season can be summed up in one word - rest. Injuries need to be properly cared for and given a chance to heal.

Almost any sport can benefit from a combination of speed and endurance. Most athletes spend the bulk of their training time focused on endurance, but speed training is a great way to kick your performance up a notch. The key to improving speed is a have a structured and committed approach.  Here are some tips to help you create a program.

Interval training has been the basis for athletic training routines for years.  Many traditional workouts used for conditioning are based off the knowledge and research on interval training.

Strength training is an important part of a balanced exercise routine that includes aerobic activity and flexibility exercises.  Regular aerobic exercise, such as running or using a stationary bike, makes your muscles use oxygen more efficiently while strengthening your heart and lungs. When strength training with weights, you're using your muscles to work against the extra pounds, therefore increasing the amount of muscle mass in your body by making your muscles work harder than they're used to.

Feeling nervous before a a game is part of your body's way of helping you do your best. The adrenaline that your body produces at time can actually help you focus.  The downside to pre game adrenaline rush is when worry and stress about performing get to be too much. 

These practical tips on goal setting can help make it easier to set and reach goals:

1. Specific, realistic goals work best. When it comes to making a change, the people who succeed are those who set realistic, specific goals.

Athletic training is often seen as the meat and potatoes of all athletic preparation.  Everyone wants to spend more time in the gym, more time in the weight room and more time on the field. Advance My Athlete provides training tips and techniques from professional athletes. An assortment of videos and articles give an in-depth view highlighting every component from lifting weights, running sprints, agility workouts and much more.  Winning is a combination of calculated decisions.

While many successful athletes possess natural talent, they are aware that this can only take them so far. Athletes learn, through practice and experience, that there is an x-factor that separates good athletes from great athletes: Work ethic.

Get the most out of your play time.  Although it may seem that most injuries come from playing, the majority of injuries come from not training properly. Here are a few tips and suggestions to help make the most out of your playing time.