Mike Keane, ABS National Coach, provides a new blog on all performance related matters since the start of the New Year;
Joe Ham – GB Development Squad training
Joe arrived Thursday 12th Jan at the English Institute of Sport (E.I.S) Gym in Sheffield around 2.30pm where he was introduced to Rob McCracken (Performance Director), Paul Walmsley (Head Of Development), and Lee Pullen (Podium Coach) who would also be involved in the Development Camp. Joe and three other G.B. Development Squad boxers were shown how to wrap their hands by the G.B. Head Physio Ian Gatt help prevent any injury’s. This was followed by around 15 minutes warm up, then 6 x 3 minute’s themed rounds on the bags followed by a stretch session. Joe was given his G.B. kit which included boots, training shoes, tee-shirts and tracksuits.
We were then given keys to the flats that G.B. own – They are 2 bedroomed with a living-room, kitchen and toilet. I was sharing the flat with Joe Ham and Super Heavy Joe Joyce (also new on Development) The two boxers shared the double room and I was in the single. Food for the camp was supplied by a company who specialise in athletes needs and was supervised by the G.B. Nutritionist Mark Ellison.
Itinerary
Thursday evening – 6.00pm session consisted of 6 x 3 minute rounds of Technical/Tactical Sparring.
Friday – 7.15am Weight check.
7.45am – Pursuit run on the indoor track at E.I.S (Breakfast).
10.30am – Themed shadow session then 11.00am off to strength and conditioning with Ian Piper. This consisted of 10 different exercises x 50 rep’s with the newer boxers doing 10 x 25 reps. The times when they finished were duly logged.
12.00pm – Lunch.
1.00pm – Joe had an induction to development where they went over all the do’s and dont’s and a run down on the G.B. programme.
3.00pm – Open sparring 4 x 3 minute rounds, 3 x 3 on bags, 1 x 3 shadow and then a grip circuit to build up strength in the hands.
6.30pm – Gym session (Footwork Drills).
Saturday 7.15am – Weight check
7.45am – Sustained run outdoor it must have been -4 celcius! This lasted around 15 minute’s.
10.00am – Nutrition meeting with Mark Ellison. Joe was given advice on the best way to control his weight and what to eat.
10.30am – Strength and Conditioning – different circuit with a number of stations squats, chin-up’s, medicine ball slams etc.
3.30pm – Open sparring 4 x 3 minute rounds with 3 different opponents mixed in. Followed by another grip circuit.
6.30pm – Video analysis session (Looking over the Sparring sessions) looking for faults that can be rectified.
Sunday – 7.15am – Weight check.
8.45am – Gym session 6 x 3 minute’s touch sparring followed by 12 x 1 minute bag work working at a high pace.
Everyone departed after this session.
Joe also met up with the Psychologist Chris Marshall and Performance Lifestyle Adviser Dan Salcedo over the weekend.
sportscotland Institute
A delegation from the sportscotland Institute travelled to Sheffield for an information gathering session as part of the ongoing work in establishing Institute support for Scotland’s best best boxers. The support staff who attended were Mandy Belch – Physiotherapist, Andrew Sommerville – Physiologist, Andy White – Strength and Conditioning and Nikos Jakubiak – Performance Nutrition, along with myself. Everyone attended the Wednesday G.B. Podium Sessions and the group were all introduced to the G.B. Support staff.
There were a number of discussions between myself and the group who found the trip very beneficial. A debrief meeting to progress matters will be held with the group on Tuesday 17 January 2012 at the Institute in Stirling.
Open Youth and Senior Training – Northern District
There was a very encouraging turnout at the Lochee Boys Club Gym on Saturday 14 January 2012 with 17 boxers in attendance. Three Schoolboys also came from Arbroath and were allowed to train although this was not the age group for them.The session consisted of six Seniors and eight Youths – All the boxers were of a similar standard and gave their all in the training session. There were representatives from Dundee ABC, Lochee ABC ,Arbroath ABC, Peterhead ABC and Kincorth ABC at the session which resulted in five coaches helping out and everybody enjoying the session. The facilities at Lochee were first class and it was good experience for the boxers and coaches to let them see the expectations ABS has for its boxers moving forward to Glasgow 2014 and beyond. Overall, a very worthwhile training session.
