Week 2, Day 1 - If you've yet to start, then today's your day

"This ain't for the weak and uncommitted, are you hearing me? Success is not for the weak and uncommitted. This is physical. Sometimes it's going to hurt. Sometimes it's going to be painful. Sometimes you're not going to be able to walk. But this is a physical sport. And if you want it, then you have to go get it. You have to play hard for it. This is not for the weak and uncommitted, are you hearing what I'm saying?"
--Dr. Eric Thomas


Monday, June 18, 2018

Week 2 begins. For those players that have followed the program, you are better today than you were last Monday. In just a week's time, you've already begun to create habits that will make you a better player. Because the ability to create positive habits takes commitment, consistency and discipline, you're setting yourself up to become a better person as well. Yeah, it's only been a week, but as the old saying goes, the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

If you haven't started the summer program yet, then there's no time like the present. Start today. Ladies, is this the year that you make an impact with your high school team? Or, will you wait, do nothing and hope it happens the following year? We're six weeks away from August 1. The girls will be in their high school preseasons and the boys will be just getting together to start the fall season. What can you do to improve in the meantime? Both situations will be very competitive. The girls will be fighting for spots with older players. For the boys, there are just 11 spots on the field for this roster of 20. What can you do to make sure one of those spots is yours? I'll use my 10-year-old nephew James as an example again. Last night, he finished up his third week of the strength training. During the first week, he couldn't do a single pull up or chin up without my assistance. Last night, he was churning them out like he was Conor McGregor. How did he do it? He stuck with it. Persistence. He had zero confidence exactly three weeks ago, but to his credit, he stuck with it. He was determined. Now look at him. He's got all the confidence in the world.

In what aspect of your game do you lack confidence? Is it your level of fitness? Is it your first touch? Is it your ability to pass accurately? Do you dread hitting long balls? If so, then let's do something about it. Let's improve that which diminishes our confidence.

Confidence is simply doing something until you get it right. Start today. Take action today. Turn off Fortnite for an hour. Put down your phone for a little bit. Let's get better this week. Ask yourself, is this a hobby or a passion?

My man, Matteo, doing some extra work on free kicks

 last night.

FYI: Here is a video explaining the concepts behind the bodyweight program
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt2H0dZBl-g


CULTURE (watch, learn, dream)
Sweden vs. South Korea, 7am, FS1, Telemundo
Belgium vs. Panama, 10am, FS1, Telemundo
Tunisia vs. England, 1pm, FS1, Telemundo



STRENGTH  (see video below for instructions and demonstrations)

****performed with the utmost intensity****

1. Box Jump - 10 reps
Iso/Speed Complex
2A. Isometric Squat - 5 x 10 seconds
2B. Sprint - 5 x 20 yards
Tempo/Shock Complex
3A. Lunge - 3 x 10 ea. leg
3B. Split Lunge Jump - 3 x 10 total
4. Lateral Lunge - 3 x 10 total
5. 3-way Plank

FITNESS 
20 minute jog




TECHNICAL (see video below for instructions and demonstrations)
Juggling Progression
1. Free Juggling   -   3 minutes
2. Juggling a ball with different size and/or weight   -   3 minutes
    (ex. size 3 ball, tennis ball, grapefruit, etc)
3. Juggling with one high touch and one low touch   -   3 minutes
4. Juggling below knee height   -   3 minutes
5. Juggling at hip height   -   3 minutes
6. Juggling at head height   -   3 minutes

TODAY'S REFERENCE POINT