Pre-Season Training Steps Up a Notch
Training and preparation for the coming British Water Polo League (formerly National League) are in full swing. The men’s squad currently has two main water polo sessions per week: Tuesday 7.30 - 9.30pm at The London Aquatic Centre in Stratford; and Wednesday 8 - 10pm at Clissold in Stoke Newington. Additional swim sessions are undertaken by players to crank out the yards in the pool.
Last week Alberto Bertolotti, a long standing friend of Poly and top Italian Coach, arrived in London for one week to oversee and direct training. Alberto hails from Italian 1st Division club Savona who finished 6th last season. Aside from coaching Savona he has also coached the Italian National Youth team. The objectives were for him to prioritise specific areas to work on in their preparation for the start of the BWPL season.
It was a busy week and comprised of 5 training sessions:
Tuesday 18th July, 7.30 - 9.30pm at LAC
Wednesday 19th July, 8 - 10pm at Clissold
Thursday 20th July, 8.30 - 10pm at LAC
Friday 21st July, 7.30 - 9.30pm at LAC
Saturday 22nd July, 5 - 7pm at Clissold
Those that have worked with Alberto know and appreciate his fine attention to detail and building capability by breaking down the components of the game into the pieces of skill and strength that add up to enable high level of execution.
Areas of the game that were specifically focused on were:
Swim conditioning drills for both aerobic and anaerobic phases of the game;
Defensive techniques and drills specifically for blocking and pressing;
Centre forward specific coaching;
Following the final training session on Saturday some tired bodies retired to the Rose and Crown, Poly’s current local, for rehydration, before heading for a Turkish feast in one of the fine Turkish dining establishments that north east London has to offer.
- Reddick