Whether you’re someone who plays every weekend or someone who’s just trying to stay active and injury-free, there’s a lot that goes into taking care of your body and mind. And most of it happens off the field.
We often think of sports as what happens during the match: the sprints, the smashes, the scores. But what about the stretches before, the sore muscles after, the stress we carry through the week, or the food we eat to stay energetic?
That’s exactly why we started something new at Playo. A weekend webinar series called “Off the Field.” These sessions are for anyone who wants to move better, feel stronger, avoid injuries, or simply learn how to take care of themselves, whether you play a sport or not.
What Is “Off the Field”?
Off the Field is Playo’s new weekend initiative – a series of webinars where we bring in professionals from the world of sports, fitness, physiotherapy, nutrition, and mental well-being to talk about the things that help you play better, but don’t always happen on the field.
These sessions are hosted live and focus on giving you practical, simple advice that’s easy to apply. From proper warm-up techniques to what to eat before a match, we’re covering all the bases players usually forget.
The idea is simple. Everyone deserves to play well and stay injury-free. Off the Field helps you do just that.
Why We’re Doing This
At Playo, we observe thousands of users booking turf, joining matches, and playing till they drop each day. But in the long run, we’ve also noticed that many of them end up getting injured, burnt out, or losing interest since they didn’t know how to keep their body safe before and after playing a game.
That’s where Off the Field comes in.
We wanted to have an environment where our community can learn from experts, have questions answered, and become wiser players, not tougher players. If you’re a weekend warrior, a frequent player, or simply an individual beginning with sports, these sessions are for you.
We make things fun, useful, and centred on the everyday player, not elite athletes or convoluted routines. Just things that work for you and me.
Our First Webinar: The Crucial Role of Warm-Up and Cool-Down
To kick off the Off the Field series, we hosted our very first session on World Badminton Day. The topic was something every player should know but often overlooks: The Importance of Warm-Up and Cool-Down.
We were joined by Dr. Nisha Kanabar and Dr. Sonal, co-founders of Physio Healers and experts in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and sports rehab. The session was full of real, actionable advice and practical demos that anyone could follow, whether you’re playing badminton, tennis, or football. If you’re looking for similar support, you can easily find physiotherapists like them on Playo’s train section.
Here’s a summary of what the session included:
- The physiology of warming up and why it gets your muscles and your brain ready
- A 10-minute warm-up drill with dynamic stretching such as arm swings, leg swings, and agility ladder drills
- Why racket-ready movements such as shadow swings and easy rallies are so crucial
- How cool-downs reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery
- Breathing exercises such as box breathing and the 3:2 breathing exercise to relax the body between matches
- When to apply hot packs versus cold packs for recovery
- How to remain hydrated and stretch correctly following a match
The physiotherapists also busted a few myths. For example: “I’ll be fine without warm-ups” or “Cool-downs are just optional”, both of which can seriously affect performance and recovery. Even 10 minutes of smart prep can prevent injuries and save you from weeks of rehab.
What made this session truly special was how relatable it was. You didn’t need to be a professional athlete to follow along. Everything was explained in a way that felt doable, because it is!
If you missed the webinar, no worries. You can catch up with the highlights in the PDF presentation below!
What’s Next?
The response to our first Off the Field webinar was amazing. And we’re just getting started.
We’ve got more sessions planned in the coming weeks that will cover:
- Pre- and post-match nutrition
- Playing consistently as you grow older
- Preventing injuries in high-frequency sports schedules
- Managing mental fatigue and stress through breathing
- Sleep, hydration, and recovery routines
And more.
Each session will be led by credible professionals, hosted in a friendly format, and focused entirely on what regular players can benefit from. You don’t need any fancy equipment, and you don’t need to be a fitness expert. Just show up, learn something new, and become a better version of yourself every week.
Final Thoughts
Off the Field is Playo’s way of going beyond bookings and matches. We want to support you not just while you play, but also in how you play. And that includes taking care of your body and mind.
If you’ve ever pulled a muscle mid-match, felt stiff before a game, or didn’t know what to eat after a tough session, you’re not alone! Off the Field is here to help you with all of that.
Let’s keep playing smart, recovering better, and growing together – on the field and off it!
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