Tigers’ pre-season focus on individual skill work
11:35:33 AM Fri 30 September, 2005
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
Richmond’s pre-season training starts on Thursday, October 27, with players in the 1-4 year category kicking off proceedings.
The following Thursday (November 3), the 5-7 year boys will join in, and on Monday, November 7, the 8-plus year players return.
It will be full steam ahead for the Tigers from then until the final training session before the Christmas break on Tuesday, December 20. Pre-season training will recommence in the New Year on Wednesday, January 4.
The players will train six days per week, with 4 running/football conditioning sessions included; 3-4 weight training sessions; 2 cross-training sessions, 3 individual skills sessions, plus massage, physiotherapy and yoga.
Punt Road will be the venue for all weight training, cross training and skills sessions, with many of the main training sessions likely to be held at Victoria Park. Extra weight training sessions will be conducted at the ‘Fitness First’ gymnasium in Richmond.
Richmond’s Strength and Conditioning Coach, Matt Horsby, said the major difference in the upcoming pre-season training period would be an increased focus on individual skill training.
“The coaches have structured an innovative new system whereby experts in specific skill areas will be teaching small groups of players,” Hornsby said.
“In regards to fitness, we will continue to focus on the development of our young group of players. We have looked at three-year plans for our younger players to ensure continual improvement in this critical phase.
“Earlier in the pre-season we will have increased volumes of running. As we get to the end of November, the running volumes will reduce and the football training component will increase. A large part of the players’ conditioning comes from game-related activities within the football sessions.”
Hornsby said the general philosophy of the Club’s fitness staff is to ensure that player conditioning is specific to the demands of the game.
“This varies for each individual, depending on their playing position and current physical profile,” he added.
“We will continue to work on developing players who can repeat high-intensity speed efforts over match-day duration. This will be combined with an intensive strength and power focus in the gym.”
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