Whitney on the summer maintenance programme...
THE WORK of Jon Whitney is once more going to be key during the summer months.The players have all been given a maintenance programme to follow and this, allied to some sessions that will be put on at the training ground over the course of the summer break, will ensure that they are able to hit the ground running when pre-season training gets underway at the start of July.
“It’s a long close season,” admitted Whitney. “We always encourage the lads to have two weeks of complete rest at the end of the season.
“After that, in order to maintain fitness levels, we have to organise a specific fitness programme that gradually brings them back up to the required levels to start pre-season.
“The maintenance programme is based around 11 runs. It is designed to allow them to get straight into functional work when they return in July.
“We also tailor part of the programme to the specific needs of the individual player because we need them to be right... you can’t afford to switch off these days.
“The way things have developed over the past decade is phenomenal. Gone are the days where you did very little over the summer and then had to spend pre-season training getting back into shape.
“The players have to show discipline but there is a good work ethic here. We will use social media to monitor how they are doing whilst they are away from the club and there will be training camps set up for them to attend should they wish to.
“The under-21 lads will all be back in at some stage to keep them ticking over. It’s about being ready for the start of pre-season training.”
We’ve got a special feature with Jon Whitney on the Official Saddlers You Tube Channel. Check out part one today...