Aug. 15, 2008
Sophomore Kyle Basil's Blog
Preseason - Day 3
The third day of preseason began with the beep test bright and early at 7 a.m. The beep test consists of running back and forth a span of twenty meters. As the test goes on and the levels increase, the beeps get faster, requiring you to run faster. The test is very mentally challenging because even though you are not running very fast, your legs begin to tire due to the constant increase in pace. All the guys did very well as we pushed each other to reach for the highest levels and leave it all on the floor.
After the beep test half the guys participated in an intense Mark Thobe ab and wheel barrel session in the Frericks center. The other half headed to the pool to tread water and compete in an aggressive game of water polo. We were all excited to play water polo after watching the Olympics.
After breakfast we headed out to NCR for our morning technical session. Coach ran a very dynamic warmup that consisted of a lot of movement, communication and passing. At the end of the session we played a game for points called hunters vs. the hunted. We worked in groups of two and tried to dodge flying soccer balls that were being kicked at us in all directions. It can be compared to a game of sharks and minnows. The game was very competitive and three teams came away with the points.
After lunch we headed to Marianist Hall to quiz our minds in a contest of soccer trivia. At the end of the contest it was Handbury, Tommy, Barnes, Kissi, Lucas Young, and myself that came away with the victory and the points.
For our afternoon session, we worked on our pregame shooting and passing pregame warm-up. We also competed in a fast paced game of 2v2 or 3v3 going at goal. For points we had a shooting contest in which we were required to hit the back of the net in the air at increasing distances. In the end it came down to Johnny Daniels and Zach Weiss, with Zach Weiss taking the points with a quality ping.
At the end of the day it was Ryan Handbury who won the coveted red jersey. Another long day of hard work has passed as we prepare for the upcoming season.
Sophomore Josh Albers's Blog
Preseason - Day 4
Preseason is mentally and physically taxing. An early night's sleep, hydration and eating healthy food are the key to a successful outcome.
We woke up early this morning with the intent of running our fourth fitness test, the infamous 120s. However, our strength and conditioning coach had something else in mind. The test has changed to arguably the hardest of our fitness tests, the 55/50s. All of our preparation was shot and we had to quickly alter our mind set. It appeared that our coach wanted to test our mental toughness, similar to game-like situations when you don't always know what you are up against. To be honest, I'm not sure more than half the team would have passed had we not encouraged each other to the point that failure was not an option. All and all the results were favorable.
After a quick refueling breakfast, we had a technical session. Our session today consisted of coerver drills which are productive because they teach us how to manage our touch and manipulate our bodies into doing the things we want when our muscles are fatigued.
Later in the afternoon, we had a lecture that aimed to help us mentally as a team. Coach Currier talked to us about how we need to be an all out player all the time and work hard for the person on the field next to us.
Our four o'clock session targeted defensive shape concentrating on funneling from the offensive line into the midfield, which is key in our 4-4-2 formation.
Finally after our last meal, we had what we consider "fun time" during our 6 v 6 tournament. I use the term "fun time" loosely because it's probably our most competitive, intense practice of the day but as soccer players we like to incorporate a long day's work into the real thing. Coach told us that we played better than any team had during 6 v 6 in the last four years here at Dayton, so we were stoked after practice with the possibility of extraordinary success in the season to come.
Preseason is tough and down time is valuable so I'm gonna go to bed so I can be prepared for yet another day in the office, tomorrow. Stay classly U.Dayton. Peace.
