Heat ramps up the intensity

The second session of the Northern Heat program raised its own bar of expectations, building on what had already been an exhausting first session to continue to push the players beyond their comfort zones.

The session continued the focus on running and clean skill execution by foot and hand, ramping up the running component to challenge the players to perform skills under fatigue.

Intensity based running drills were spread throughout the day’s program where the focus was on repeat efforts to emulate match based running. These bursts of intense effort were followed by kicking and handball drills that forced the players to concentrate on hitting targets and backing up the ball receiver.

Paul Taylor, Northern Heat program manager, said that the players adjusted very well to the challenging session. “At the higher levels of the sport, game plans are built around the ability of the players to run 15 or more kilometres per match based on repeat intense efforts. That running can’t compromise a player’s ability to retain possession and find a team mate with the ball, so that’s why we’re challenging our players to improve in both facets,” Taylor said.

“The effort shown during the running drills indicates the boys are starting to do the work at home on their own. When we moved into the skills work the players struggled a little bit at first to maintain the standards, but they quickly adapted and were much better able to switch their focus onto clean execution of the skill.”

The two and a half hour workout finished with game simulation drills that saw the players putting together all of the key aspects of the first two sessions, with an end product of really positive ball movement through overlap running.

“Credit to the players, they worked really hard for the entire session and showed that they can quickly apply what they’ve learnt. We’ve quickly built a really strong base that we’ll continue to build upon through the rest of the program,” Taylor said.

The program resumes at Sport UNE, Armidale on 3 December. At this session the players will be taken through strength and conditioning programs that they will be expected to complete over the Christmas/new year break before the program resumes in early February.