OfflineIt probably doesn't feel like it in most parts of North America, but spring is coming quick. Most of us Unitedstatesians have maybe 4-6 weeks left until we have to dust off the old golf clubs and kayaks.
So with the off-season approaching, does anyone have some good exercises/drills that can be used to help minimize the rustiness that comes with the long break?
Vigorously mopping the bathroom floor doesn't count.
I will tell you if you promise not to laugh at me like my real life friends :)
It's a deal.
Also, I would like to see Wee Eddie post pics of him doing yoga :)
Yoga
Yoga
jzerocsk ~ Just for you I have changed my Avatar ~ This was a small memento, made for me by an admirer, after a particularly taxing yoga session!
I guess as they say, you have the body of a god :D
I was really serious about the Yoga though.
Of course players should maintain an acceptable level of fitness, but there are two critical items that most fitness regimes don't tackle. These are crucial to a smooth and accurate delivery and are not related to muscular strength in any way.
Balance & Pliability.
Yoga, done regularly, delivers both in spades and I'll guarantee that if you do a Class, at least once a week, your Delivery/Slide and Sweeping will improve, as will your breath control which helps to maintain your energy levels.
Thanks for clarifying - I did think you were kidding about the yoga!
I would agree with wee eddie - I have used pilates and found it very helpful.
What position do you play? There are exercises that I would recommend - but that would depend upon where you play. For example, leads/2nd/ 3rd - upper body for sweeping, 2nd /3rd/skips - lunges for leg drive. Also, sweepers should incorporate hurdles/agility ladder work for foot speed and balance.
Elite Canadian teams are using heart monitors and they have found front-end players can lose anywhere from a 1000-1400 calories and walk approximately three miles in a 10 end game – so anaerobic training is a must. Develop a base and add interval training into your program.
What percentage of the game is mental? Do you practice that part of your game??? Buy the book Mind Gym – a great book on the sport psychology aspect of your game.
Feel free to PM me for more info.
Bill
So I do my workout in secret, obviously, because when I practiced sweeping out on my porch I was roundly denounced as the neighbourhood nut, and in my neighbourhood that is really saying something. :)
But I do practice sweeping (on a laminate floor is nice, not too much friction). I figure nothing is better training than trying to replicate as well as you can the real thing.
Also, speed is my weakness, so I do interval training just to have the wind. 20 or 30 second sprints or that kind of thing.
Flexibility is really really important, as everyone said above. And I think too much neglected, especially by the guys.
I hate hate hate doing weights, because it bores me to tears, so I reject the lunges and such as much as possible. But I love to bike, and I figure grinding up hills works pretty well at strengthening the legs.
But I play front end. What do the skips do, practice tapping their brooms? :p
In league play I wander all positions. This season I have focused on lead since that's where I am on my competitive team and it seems like I'll be continuing in that capacity next season, so if I had to pick one position I'd say lead (but I don't want to become a one-trick pony).
In addition to physical/psychological development I'd also be interested in ideas for practicing technical/mechanical parts of the game (sliding, release). I have no idea if anyone has even come up with effective ways to practice those on solid ground, though.
Thanks for the suggestions so far, everyone.
Squid ~ That's where the Yoga comes into play ~ as one relaxes the mind and concentrates on the inner self!
Flexibility on it's own is not very good. It is in fact possible to be too flexible (though it's not likely to become an problem for most of us) so building strength in addition to your flexibility is good, ie, you'll probably have a better and more consistent delivery if you slide with your core engaged then settled down into your joints.
That being said, yoga is a great option for flexibility and building the strength required to use that flexibility appropriate. As well, core exercises are excellent as well.
I'm a fan of cycling through the summer, and I also hit the weights a bit more during the summer.
Have to agree with an earlier post, the mental exercises are usually forgotten. They just seem harder to keep doing consistently don't they!
Skipping is like being a singer... practice your yelling ;)
Here's a thought for your sweeping exercises, get a 2.5, or 5lb ankle or wrist weight and attach it to your broom when you practice sweeping.
I also wanted to mention an exercise that was told to me.
Hold your slide position. Obviously some of the muscles we use in our slide get a whee bit out of use during the summer. So if you do exercises of holding your slide, it will help keep them toned. It's not as good as sliding, but it should make the start of the season easier.
Probably doing something like every 2 or 3 days, or 5-10 reps of holding it for 10-15 seconds would be good, I would think. But I am not a physiotherapist or a trainer.
Now don't laugh... and yes I am closer to 40 years old than 50... but I find lawn bowling to be a good summer activity that keeps my arms and legs using similar motions. Also, fresh air, mental exercise and competitive atmosphere. Real cheap too.
Now don't laugh... and yes I am closer to 40 years old than 50... but I find lawn bowling to be a good summer activity that keeps my arms and legs using similar motions. Also, fresh air, mental exercise and competitive atmosphere. Real cheap too.