This one may catch you off guard, but one of the best training tips I every received was that rest was just as important as the work you put in.

For instance, at this point of my season it is just as important to rest during the day as it is to train with intensity in the mornings.

Wanna win? Make sure you have enough rest!

You have to focus on giving your body the best chance to  perform at all times. Without allowing yourself the proper amount of rest, your body will not be able to recover, and store the energy for your next training session. This can put limitations on your ability to perform, and speaking as a professional athlete, this is never a good situation.

Sometimes that means you may have to pass up that pick up game on Friday afternoon to make sure your tank is full for Saturday’s game!

As an outside back it took me a while to learn how to cross a ball correctly.  There is much more to it than just simply striking the ball correctly.

Sometimes the ball needs to be floated into the box or to the far post. Other times it needs to be driven or bent into the box with pace. Furthermore, there are times where the correct thing to do is cross the ball low and hard on the ground behind the last defensive player.

In all of these scenarios there is one thing to remember….unless you are crossing the ball to one specific teammate who is clearly open, your job is simply to place the ball in between the posts around head level while missing out the first defender.

As a player I make the mistake of trying to be perfect too often.  It is important to remember that forwards jobs are to get on the end of good crosses!

With all of that said I think that the wide players (especially at the youth level) need to to be more concerned about crossing the ball into dangerous areas, rather than trying to pick out a teammates head every time.

After all, if you are a forward you should know to run where the ball is going to be crossed all of  the time as opposed to making thirty runs before you receive that one perfect cross.

My number one training tip is…..do not take the field for training or a game unless you are ready to compete.

If you aren’t focused then you cannot improve game and play at your peak level  consistently.

Mentality is a huge part of the game.  From the moment you start kicking the ball, your mental approach to the game can, and often does determine how much success you will have on the field of play.

Make it a personal goal to keep your mind in the game. Developing focus can be practiced as much as kicking  the ball. It takes time, devotion, and hard work. Set simple goals, and improve upon them.

It might be hard at first, but as times passes, it will become second nature.

When you move into the MLS communication is crucial on the field. Warning or letting a player know where their defender is makes playing easier and is mandatory to play at higher levels.

You should also be prepared to receive the ball at all times. Being involved, wanting to be a  part of a play will constantly put the opposition against the ropes.

Attack when you have the ball. Draw a defender in, and then pass the ball before they close down or get the ball.