A View From the Side
With training disrupted at the moment here's some wise words from the coach to until things get back to normal...
Speed, scoring and the demise of…
Speed
Pre-season training commenced on 26 July… how long ago!!!!! Many people they have maintained some degree of fitness to this point but now it’s time for the big push for promotion or to stave off relegation. Therefore as a gentle jogging of mind and body do some of the following -
- Wind it up – 10 mins easy pace, 10 mins steady pace and 10 mins hard pace
- Quick one – up and down a hockey pitch (2 x 100m), 30 second break between each rep. Repeat 4 times =’s one set. Have 2 min break between sets. Complete 4 sets.
- Fartlek – varied running pace and terrain. But in random speed, intersperse with speed sections lasting 30 – 90 seconds. Run for 30 mins.
NB - start with a 5 min warm up (plus stretches) and 5 min cool down (plus stretches).
But if you really want to improve find a hill – steeper the gradient the better. Ok, warmed up, hit the hill hard and run as fast as you can up it for 10sec’s. Jog back, minutes rest then repeat. Do as many as you can. The short blast develops a positive running style…..hit the flat and watch you go.
Scoring
Hockey is at best about speed, in part speed of movement and ball speed. But if you are quick thinking, you can in essence get over such deficiencies such as a lack of fitness (not that I advocate a lack of training). The better players in all sports always have time, time in which to make the telling pass or move. Think Zidane, and you don’t think speed, think speed and you think Craig Bellamy but you don’t think speed of thought. In the “D” it is this speed of thought or awareness that defines the great and prolific scorers from the also rans. Receiving the ball and positioning it to shoot in the fewest touches is key. For example letting the ball run across your body from left to right so you can take a first time shot or pushing the ball into space for the flick….all will improve the probability of scoring.
Training
I read an article the other day which reminded us that in times of global warming that we are likely to lose or see the demise of certain species. In the report is was highlighting the plight of the Scottish crossbill and how we may not see it again… which made me think about the lack of attendees at training. If birds of a feather continue to flock together then this bird is off south in the future.
Still here but nearly extinct coach
