Post COVID-19 Training
“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.” according to former UCLA head basketball coach. Depending on when COVID-19 paused school and sporting activities in your community, your players could be inactive mentally and physically, for at least 12 weeks.
That far exceeds summer break.
Virtual training indoors or in the backyard does not meet the physical demands of endurance training. With limited space, no opposition, and your coach to encourage and motivate, the session is more a way to stay connected with your players.
Those challenges make your next training session, so much more important. Preparation is vital.
Rearing to Go
The start of my high school varsity season has some parallels with ‘Return to Play’. Temperatures were hot (above 75 degrees) and players are coming off an extended break, coaches are excited about the new season.
I wanted my players to be ‘fit’ during the 2 weeks before the competition started. That meant, my players endured a lot of running the first, two week.
I saw Quantity to be more important than Quality.
Priority 1 – Injury Prevention & Engagement
Players have been inactive for at least 12 weeks, longer in some places. No schooling, combined with no sporting activities, slows the mind and body. Your players’ ability to perceive, make a decision, and execute has been dormant.
Your first 3 weeks of practice should at least focus on minimizing injuries, engaging players. and connecting with players. Quantity should not be priority # 1.
With COVID-19 guidelines training will not resemble traditional practices in the early stages. Social distancing, intensity levels of exercise, the temperature on the day should be your road map for planning.
During your training, your players need to feel excited to return, engaged in activities, and involved in the process. Do not train your players to the point of exhaustion, especially in the first 2 weeks.
COVID-19 Return to Play Guide Training
- Session Time: 60 – 75 minute
- Training Load: Medium to Low-intensity activities
- Duration of each activity: (10 – 12 minutes)
- Intervals Per Activity: 3 – 4
- Activity Time: Dependent on activity (30 to 60 seconds)
- Recovery Time: At least equal to Activity Time
Please let me know some of the training activities you will applying during return to play. How will you structure your warm-up and small-sided activities?
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