Player development

During my time at Burnley FC I have noticed all training is progressive whether it was the warm up or a gym session. Training has previously been planned out in 6 week blocks to form a progressive structure aimed to improve the players competency and performance of specific phases of training.

This method of planning is referred to as periodisation which has been covered throughout the Strength and Conditioning course. Periodization is the systematic planning of training, and encourages the best outcome through optimising both training and recovery.

Training is subdivided into days, weeks, months and even years depending on the training goal. Each training phase is often focussed around one training adaptation although isn't always the case. At Burnley FC training is focussed on one main outcome during each 6 week progressive phase of training.

Warm ups/training are based around certain themes, for instance speed or power, although incorporating other qualities. Progression could be introduced through a number of methods, increasing height of a hurdle, advancing the variation, decreasing the time to completion or adding a competitive element. This not only progressively improves the players but the extra challenge made what could be monotonous training methods more appealing to the players.

                        

The gym sessions followed 6 week phases of training also and had started with stability before my internship at the club, progressing to a max strength phase, while currently transitioning to more of a strength/power type phase.

However, it became apparent that the optimal training plan is not always available due to various restrictions and limitations.

The strength and power phase of training, currently being undertaken, followed a 2 week Christmas break meaning training had to adjust slightly to re-introduce the players back to strength training. For a couple of weeks strength training exercises and loads were to be utilised that the players were already accustomed too prior to the Christmas break to regain competence from any detraining effect. However, this would of been monotonous for the players as a 6 week programme had already been undertaken therefore Alex and myself thought it would be better to change the variation of the lifts to add variety to the introductory phase of training. Rather than the conventional squat and Romanian deadlift as used previously, unilateral variations were utilised such as lunges, single leg Romanian deadlifts, etc. which also incorporated a stability aspect which was ideal prior to a power phase, following the 2 week break. This kept the players interested in the sessions and worked well to set the foundation of the power phase.

Another limitation was that due to bad weather conditions training was reduced to one a week as the games missed on weekends where to be played on a Tuesday along with Saturdays games. This also highlights the problem of optimising recovery between games along with an increase in possible injury as match play has higher injury rates the training (Walden et al, 2010).

With this in mind, although training may be meticulously planned out prior, issues may prevent the optimal plan in which the strength and conditioning coach will have to adapt and adjust the session plans and programmes to tailor training to encourage the best outcome for that given time.