Aug. 23, 2009

I woke up quick, at about 6 and just knew that I had to be ready to run the beep test. This was our last fitness test and to some is one of the easiest. In my opinion, I feel that the beep test is difficult.

The beep test has levels that increase as the CD goes on. It's 22 yards and when you hear the beep you run to the other end and then wait until you hear the other beep. Each level gets faster and faster. Ryan Hartman got to the highest level but Alex Torda lost his head and gave Hartman a challenge.

After the beep test we had wheel barrel race. We had to get a partner, then we got on the line and raced down and back, it was about 45 yards in all. There were two groups and the top five from each group raced each other in the final. Torda pushed me as fast as I could move my arms and I ended up winning the wheel barrel races.

After this we all took showers and went off to get breakfast. Today was going to be a lighter day because we play Kentucky the next day. In the technical session I got to wear the Red Jersey because my team won the 6v6 tournament. I also won this game called tank, where one partner has to be blindfolded and the other has to tell their partner where to throw the ball so you can get other teams out.

Me and Johnny Daniels were partners and wrecked everyone at this game. Then at the end I was tied with Ryan Handbury and beat him in a PK shoot-out. When he missed his PK, I lost my head with joy.

Ok now back to the technical session. In this technical session we went into two groups; offense and defense. In my group, we work on shaping and then had a paired header challenge for points. We had to get a partner and head back and forth from half field, to the goal, and back to half field. Matt Russo and I did work on this challenge and won. While we were doing work, Tommy Watkins and Jack Pearson ran into each other and Jack's teeth went into Tommy's nose. There was a nice gash in Tommy's nose and he had to get it glued back together.

Next we got to go to lunch at the marvelous VWK, and after this we had around 2 hours of free time until the next session.

In the Training Session we went back into our groups; offense and defense. When we are in these groups, we try and get as sharp as we can so we will be ready for the game. Offense works on shooting, crossing the balls in, and different pattern plays.

Defense works on shaping of the back four and a lot of communication. As the practice comes to the end, we as a team are ready to go south and own Kentucky's turf.