PRE-SEASON TRAINING BEGINS - Q&A WITH STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH CHRIS BODMAN
11 November 2015
After a well earned break in October, majority of the Gloucestershire Cricket first team squad are back at the Bristol County Ground beginning their pre-season preparations for 2016. A major focus for the coaches during the initial pre-season programme is to ensure the players are in peak condition ahead of April 2016 when the season begins.
Gloucestershire's strength and conditioning coach Chris Bodman has given an insight into what goes on behind the scenes as the players begin their preparations ahead of the new season.
- As the strength and conditioning coach of Gloucestershire Cricket, what goes on in the first few weeks of pre-season training?
We get straight into it. We tested all of the players at the end of the season and then prepared programmes based on the results. There is some time spent going through new exercises etc., but the lads have all got stuck in from day one. At this stage, we personalise some elements but also do some more generic sessions. All of the coaches know what is happening on a day-to-day basis and there are constant conversations and observations between us all.
- What has the mood been like around the camp in the first few weeks?
As said, the lads that are here have carried on as they left off. They enjoy each other’s company and so appear to be enjoying everything after having had a break in October. They know there is a lot of hard work ahead and so just take one week at a time.
- How is pre-season training going so far, does it change week on week, what are they doing?
The weeks are relatively structured. There is a definite focus on strength & conditioning pre-Christmas, although they still have the opportunity to work with skill coaches. We continually monitor and adjust where necessary, though the general focus of each block will remain the same.
- What does the timetable look like for the players?
Monday – Prehab & Strength. The players are in 2 groups with individual prehab programmes and a more generic strength programme.
Tuesday – Conditioning. They complete a high volume conditioning session with Nathan Walsh who is a personal trainer at the on-site BS7 Gym.
Wednesday – Personal Development. We encourage this not only as an active rest day, but also as an opportunity for the lads to gain work experience, study, or to attend workshops. We also work closely with Ian Thomas (from the Professional Cricketers’ Association) to ensure our players make the most of this time.
Thursday – Prehab & Strength (as above)
Friday – Track & Yoga. This is an individually-programmed running session that we complete at the SGS College Campus before returning for a group yoga session.
In addition, we will prescribe additional sessions to any player we feels the need to develop in certain areas.
- Are the players allowed to have much input into the pre-season schedule?
It is important to get buy-in from the players and so I would like to think I am very open to programme input. This will probably occur more as we progress through the Winter and we make it more skill-specific.
- How do you monitor the progression of each of the players? Are there weekly / monthly tests?
As said, we continually monitor in a number of ways. We use a data platform where the players input their daily monitoring every morning including their quality of sleep, energy levels etc. and their daily workload every evening. This then gives us some indication as to whether we need to adjust anything in the programme. I would also include some form of assessment at different intervals to ensure there is continual development.
- Who’s the motivator in the team during, say, the last few sets/reps when the ‘going gets tough’?
They all chip in at different times, dependent on who can breathe!
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