Embedded Files
The 2025 season is underway!
Though nothing here is mandatory, we encourage off-season training because it helps prevent injuries, boosts your courage, and improves your passion for soccer. Use these optional resources to help you prepare for success in DSGS.
Becoming great isn't hard, it's boring.
Doing first touch drills in your basement during the off-season isn’t physically hard but it can be very boring. This boredom may cause you to not want to train in the off-season. In today’s world, we’re wired to chase constant stimulation: things that are exciting, entertaining, and instantly rewarding. But becoming truly great, both as a soccer player and as a person, doesn’t look or feel like that.
Real growth is repetitive, quiet, and dull. Practicing the same skills, over and over, day after day, month after month, year after year, is the true path to mastery. It’s not thrilling. It's not interesting. But it works. We encourage you to embrace the boring process of becoming great, invest time into training during the DSGS off-season, and stay connected to the game we love.
Questions?
Questions?
Reach out to Coach Evren anytime throughout the year to get advice on how to train, connect with local soccer opportunities, or set your soccer goals.
gunduze@doversherborn.org
Recommended Off-Season Training
Recommended Off-Season Training
“I will beat her. I will train harder. I will sleep better. I will eat cleaner. I know her weaknesses. I know her strengths. I’ve lost to her before, but not this time. She is going down. I have the advantage because I know her well. She, is the old me.”
1) PLAY SOCCER
1) PLAY SOCCER
The best way to prepare for DSGS is simple: play soccer. Whether it’s 1v1 in the backyard or full-sided pickup with friends, playing builds everything you need - skill, soccer IQ, teamwork, conditioning, and courage. Pick-up soccer, without refs or coaches, is where players feel a freedom to try new moves, get creative, and build awareness. Playing soccer is the ultimate training!
Don't have goals? Score by playing a pass to a teammate who makes a controlled stop on an endline.
Have odd numbers? play numbers up/down because it is rare in a game that the part of the field you are working in has even numbers at any given moment.
Field dimensions (1 yard = 1 full step)
1v1: 10yds X 20yds
2v2-3v3: 30yds X 20yds
4v4-5v5: 40yds X 30yds
6v6-7v7: 50yds X 35yds
8v8-9v9: 70yds X 50yds
2) TRAIN BALL WORK
2) TRAIN BALL WORK
Want to sharpen your technical game?
Do our Touch Drill daily - It takes just 6 minutes and can be done throughout your other sport's seasons.
Choose a 10 minute Skill Drill and do it 2 times within a week. Choose a new one the following week.
3) IMPROVE CONDITIONING
Playing soccer is the best way to get soccer-fit. But if you don’t have access to live games, you can still build your conditioning using the workouts in our Conditioning Activities.
These sessions focus on soccer-relevant traits like speed, agility, quickness, and anaerobic endurance.
Aim for 3 conditioning activities per week starting 8 weeks before tryouts in mid June.
4) REST!
4) REST!
Just finished a demanding club soccer, lacrosse or track season? Take at least two full weeks off.
Your body (muscles, ligaments, joints) and your mental state need time to reset and heal. Recovery now helps prevent injury and burnout later.
Stepping away from sports and soccer for a few weeks helps you recharge, miss the game, and return with a renewed energy and passion for it.
Need to stay active? Go for a swim, do a yoga class, take a bike ride, or help out with yard work! just keep it low-key and fun.
Optional Summer Clinics
Optional Summer Clinics
Bay Valley Clinic
Bay Valley Clinic
A top three-day local clinic that specializes in getting teammates bonded and prepared for their season. DS players all train and bond together. Tactical and fitness focused.
For: All rising 9th-12th graders
Dates: August 10-12
Time: 4pm-8pm
Site: DeFazio Park, Needham MA
Cost: $310 per player
Summit Soccer Clinic
Summit Soccer Clinic
A local clinic that specializes in getting individuals prepared for their season. DS players are scattered with players from different towns. Technical focused.
For: All rising 9th-12th graders
Dates: August 4-7
Time: 5:15pm-8:15pm
Site: Dana Hall School, Wellesley MA
Cost: $285 per player
Page updated
Report abuse