Herding cattle, taking the kids to school, helping with homework, changing hair colour and partying the night away. This is what footballers do during the off-season, and much, much more. It is the time players use to spoil themselves with trips around the world, go wild, stay up late with friends and spend time with family.Some, like Khama Billiat of Mamelodi Sundowns, spend the time trying to figure out which hairstyle would make them stand out in a crowd .Friends Kermit Erasmus and Mame Niang of Orlando Pirates and Sundowns took the first flight out of the country - after the Nedbank Cup final - to Paris for a holiday with their families.Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana was among the fortunate who witnessed one of the greatest goals scored by Barcelona genius Lionel Messi in the Copa del Rey final at Camp Nou last weekend. He posted a picture on Instagram with a caption: "I was a witness."Now he is back home in Zebediela, herding cattle.For Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia, who experienced the pain of relegation with the Dube Birds, the off-season is a time to spend with his kids.He checks their homework and makes sure it is signed and ready for the next day. It cheers him up after a miserable season."I don't have much time to spend with the kids because we are always on the road. Now I take them to school and when they come back, they find me at home. You don't always get the time you need with the kids, so this period is very important. It's special," Etafia said.Those who are not blowing their money on the latest BMW or Mercedes-Benz focus on trying to secure a life after football."We all know we are not going to play forever," said Sundowns defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele, who spent time with his family in GaMphahlele, a village in Limpopo, before going on a "mini holiday".Diets tend go out the window for some. One burger or pizza too many and the scale will tell the story at the pre-season medical."It's compulsory to watch what you eat," said Bidvest Wits right back Siyabonga Nhlapo. "You can have a burger here and there, but you can't eat them every day."And off-season does not mean being a couch potato."I play indoor football to keep fit and I do gym work," he said...