Post by Taxigirl on Jun 28, 2005 8:09:57 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
The United squad return to Thorp Arch for the start of pre-season training today with a warning from manager Kevin Blackwell that they had better have done their homework!
Building up the players fitness will be the main aim over the next two weeks but they are expected to return already to training already with a good level of fitness, having been given instructions to follow over the holidays.
Already a number of players, mostly those that were injured at the end of last season, such as Stephen Crainey, Eirik Bakke and Michael Ricketts, have been working hard at Thorp Arch to make sure they are ready for the start of pre-season.
"There have been players in here since the 14th June," said Blackwell, "because we knew who we needed to get in early to do extra work and they have been in and are working hard.
"All the players were also given an off season handbook to adhere to. It's been seven weeks and they know that they have to come in already at a certain level and have been given certain standards to reach.
"If they don't reach them they will be given double training and it's only when we decide that the tests will be retaken. So it's no good them coming in and failing the test one day then busting a gut to get to the mark the next day, they will have to train for four or five days and then we'll let them take the test again.
"They all know it's advisable to do a bit of fitness work before they come in."
Although Blackwell is beginning his second season in charge, as many as half of the squad will not have experienced pre-season training under him, having arrived later with the season already underway. His aim is to make training enjoyable as well as demanding.
"The balls will be out in the first week and we will integrate ball work and running.
"It won't be a case of flogging them into the ground, you have to make a hard pre-season is something more interesting than just running a marathon every day."
The United squad return to Thorp Arch for the start of pre-season training today with a warning from manager Kevin Blackwell that they had better have done their homework!
Building up the players fitness will be the main aim over the next two weeks but they are expected to return already to training already with a good level of fitness, having been given instructions to follow over the holidays.
Already a number of players, mostly those that were injured at the end of last season, such as Stephen Crainey, Eirik Bakke and Michael Ricketts, have been working hard at Thorp Arch to make sure they are ready for the start of pre-season.
"There have been players in here since the 14th June," said Blackwell, "because we knew who we needed to get in early to do extra work and they have been in and are working hard.
"All the players were also given an off season handbook to adhere to. It's been seven weeks and they know that they have to come in already at a certain level and have been given certain standards to reach.
"If they don't reach them they will be given double training and it's only when we decide that the tests will be retaken. So it's no good them coming in and failing the test one day then busting a gut to get to the mark the next day, they will have to train for four or five days and then we'll let them take the test again.
"They all know it's advisable to do a bit of fitness work before they come in."
Although Blackwell is beginning his second season in charge, as many as half of the squad will not have experienced pre-season training under him, having arrived later with the season already underway. His aim is to make training enjoyable as well as demanding.
"The balls will be out in the first week and we will integrate ball work and running.
"It won't be a case of flogging them into the ground, you have to make a hard pre-season is something more interesting than just running a marathon every day."