As some of us around the world work from home during this pandemic, our bosses might be loosely checking in on our work. Not if you are an Orlando City player.
Unable to train at the Club's new state-of-the-art Training Ground for the time being, each player was given a smartwatch that tracks all of their workouts and movements.
“We gave them a tracking system that goes directly to their telephone, the telephone generates an email to me and I supervise the session and control everything”, said Fabian Bazan, Orlando City’s strength and conditioning coach.
The team continues to train on the same schedule as they usually would at the training facility, but from their own homes. The Lions train six days a week, and five of those are double session days. There are fitness tests every Tuesday and Thursday, supervised by Bazan through the smartwatch. The staff understands that everyone has different resources and facilities available during this quarantine period and is adjusting accordingly.
"Fabian has been very proactive in planning drills and exercises to keep us fit during this time,” said defender Alex De John. “Every Sunday he sends out a very detailed plan for the week that includes prehab, running, yoga, strength, and ball work exercises. Players have been sending some of their workouts and training exercises to the group to help motivate one another. The workouts have been great and keeping us all ready for when the time comes.”
Bazan has an individualized program for each player, depending on their needs and what they have available. Right now, Júnior Urso is working on a specific methodology for his position. Mauricio Pereyra’s focal point is aerobic capacity. Center backs Rodrigo Schlegel and Antonio Carlos are working on jumps & explosive work specific to their position. The strength and conditioning coach is working on Nani’s speed work, and he laughs as he adds, “Then there is Kyle Smith, he does everything, I don’t have to tell him.”
The technical staff has created a program for the players to target certain critical areas: lumbar, groin, hamstring, aerobic power, acceleration, and speed. They send the players videos for those specific concepts, and the players are expected to recreate the videos and send them back. Bazan said he is busier than he usually would be during the season because of all the individual interactions with the players about their specific needs and programs.
The players are primarily focusing on acceleration and deceleration to avoid hamstring issues upon return, along with making sure that the players are continuing to kick the ball for groin strength. Whether that’s kicking up against the wall or whatever they have available.
Bazan is emphasizing not losing the soccer gestures, attempting to re-create the match-specific movements that can be difficult to replicate when training on your own - sudden movements, agility, change of direction, and rotation, for example.
Beyond the physical aspect of the game, one of the team staff’s main priorities is the player’s psychological well-being.
“Making sure they have a feeling of belonging is incredibly important,” said Bazan. “I think occupying their time has an important role in that.”
Players and coaching staff have team video conferences that include motivational videos and speakers to keep everyone engaged and focused on the team for when they return. The tactical aspect of the game does not take a rest during this period either; Head Coach Oscar Pareja goes through video analysis both with the entire team and by individual positional group.
“It gives us a chance to see everyone, while also reviewing some of our competition,” said De John. “It gives us a chance to see how the teams have been playing, the tendencies they have, and where they could be exploited.
This time away from the norm has been difficult for the team, Bazan said. But on the bright side, this hiatus has been helpful for the recovery of previously injured striker Dom Dwyer, with whom Bazan has been working closely.
“This break is not damaging [for Dwyer],” said Bazan. “On the contrary, it puts him at the same level as other players. And he is doing very well. He will be at the level of the rest of the team. He is working at a high intensity without pain, on finishing, on lots of things that will level him out upon return.”
Team nutritionist Rikki Keen continues to work closely with the players, giving them recipe ideas and making sure they are getting the optimal level of nutrition. The group also practices yoga each day, focusing on breathing exercises and working on flexibility.
“If I were someone that bought a ticket to watch this team, I would be proud to know the work they are putting in at this team,” said Bazan. “The players are very conscious of the debt to these supporters by putting the work in.”
