UP TO SPEED

By Nick Smith

In competitive sport,strength and endurance are only part of the equation.

Speed acceleration and agility are the keys to a place on the Winner's podium.  "Going into a new football season, if you get in two speed and agility training sessions a week, you'll improve your game out of sight" says Mark Jones the assistant coach of the Newcastle Jets the 2008 A-League Champions.

In the past when off season was longer and players packed on the kilos over summer, pre-season training was based around endurance, to knock teams back into shape. Now players in All codes are expected to maintain year round fitness. Jones says the torturous long work outs of old have been replaced focusing on explosive power.

"We don't give players as long an off-season now so they don't lose their base fitness," he says. "Therefore our reliance on endurance work has diminished." With the base-fitness of his players intact, in the lead up to last year's A-League season, Jones was able to focus on making the Jets the fastest and most agile team in the league.

                                     "FIND YOUR WINNING EDGE" 

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