I am always impressed with the resiliency of these athletes. They just roll with the punches. By the time we got through security and to our gate it was 8:15am. 2 hours and fifteen minutes from when our hotel shuttle left. We were constantly waiting in line. We Waited to check in, waited through security and waited in line for Tim Hortons or Starbucks.
The athletes use this wait time very productively. Some use it to get some last second contact with family and friends. A couple of athletes used this time for treatment. One was hook up to a battery pack and was stimulating her back muscles. Others use it to catch up on reading. One athlete has online classes she is doing as we travel.
Once we boarded the plane we had a 4.5 hr flight to Mexico City. I slept for most of the way. I had the luck of sitting beside Lucy Charuk and got to know her better. She has a tremendous sense of humour and laughs lots. Most of the athletes got some shut eye as well, but they also took turns heading to the back of the plane to do some stretching. Trying to minimize the effect of the flight.
On arrival in Mexico City we waited once again to clear customs and grab our luggage. Some of the girls were stopped by passers by and asked to pose for pictures. We were then shuttled to our hotel. Once we arrived, we were told we didn't have enough rooms and the ones we did have weren't ready. The team just found couches and chairs and made themselves as comfortable as possible. Flex for success seems to be the model. Be as flexible as you can and worry about what you can control. They could do nothing about the rooms so they tried to make the best of a situation. Maren Hansen our team leader showed great patience as she had to deal with the front desk and try to get what we requested. Her role is to handle all the outside administration allowing Lupo and the rest of the team a chance to focus on the matches themselves.
We had a chance to practice in the warm up gym. The trip there was an adventure, what was advertised as a 30 minute trip turned into an hour. We actually had to drive around the facility twice until the organizers could clear enough room for the bus.
The practice after a long trip isn't very intense. Adam worked the team through a longer than normal dynamic warm up. This warmup included some core and foot speed training. We then played 3's 2 ball tennis. This is a Queen of the Court style drill. 3v3 two balls served at once,one to each side. One contact per side which ever ball ends first determines winner. Lupo thinks this is a fun active drill, but also acquaints the team to the court.
We then did a quick dig and set style drill. 3 players in back court coach hit ball at one of them. They then dig it high to middle a player sets it to a coach hitting out of the front row wing positions. The coach hits the set ball back at a defender. The player who dug the ball must be the next setter. After the set they are replaced by one coming off the court. Next was a hitting warmup and then a little 5 v 5 drill.
Over all it was a good day, the team showed incredible resiliency and patience. It will only get better from here.
No comments:
Post a Comment