Drills, drills, drills

I've started filming some of the drills we run with the intention of sharing them with the world, and especially the newer,smaller leagues who might need inspiration.
All drills are filmed with participating skaters of varying experience. As of now I have two, and more will be popping up here soon. So if you're a freshie-league coach, make sure to subscribe!

Starting off here with a drill for practicing hops and jukes and speed management to ensure controlled actions. During this drill I encouraged the skaters to do high, long hops over the jump, to try to move fast in a low stance during the sideways juking and to ensure balance and control while hopping in the hoops. It's not about speed, it's about balance and control!
 I rant it for 8 laps, with a brief rest and some notes on what to keep in mind, then for 5 laps, brief rest and then an additional 3.

The second drill is a sprinting/starting warm up-drill.
I divide the skaters into groups of three, starting them off with two/one at each end of the practice space. At the whistle the first skater on the side with two starts sprinting down to their friend on the opposite side. She starts her off with a hand-clap and takes her spot, waiting for a new transfer.
The various levels practice using windsprints, on toe stops or ducks walks. One can choose to incorporate slides, falls or stops into this drill by for example having the skaters stop at each transfer using a t-stop or a turning knee-slide.
I run this drill for about 5 minutes.

New hall

Last night we got to skate in a brand new space where we're gonna be spending our thursdays from now on. The floor is a lot quicker than the one in our regular hall so it was a blast swooshing around, and I realised the kind of speeds I can reach if I push it on a good surface.

We had endurance training and even thou half the gang was home ill we who attended really pushed it! We warmed up with some pushes and sprint-and-drops and then went on to skate a 5km stretch. Then we went on yo physio training. My legs were SCREAMING with pain through a few drills.
Today I am a bit spaghetti-legged but I'll have to suck it up and ignore it, cause tonight we're packing a car full of kittens and heading up to practice with Tinderstixx City Slammers!
I'm looking forward to ordering a new bunch of girls around, haha. ;p

Nah, but I love the fact that derbySweden is getting more intimate. There are so many awesome girls to get to know!

I'm posting some pics from last nights session for you, and I've gotta say that rollermopping is kinda fun, I've got to start doing this at home!

A glorious day!

Today we had the  privilege of having Belgian Bob from Crime City Rollers coaching us! I have been so anxious to show the girls the kind of disciplin and cooperation it really takes to play derby! The little time I've spent practicing with other teams taught me bundles and I think the girls got that same kick in the butt today. I saw some of the rookies push themselves harder than ever, surpassing our more experiences skaters in strength!
I saw a focus I've been missing. I saw TEAMWORK and COMMUNICATION!

I am so happy I could skip around in a high for a week!

I am proud, happy and tired. And also motivated.
I realized how soft I've been on them all, and none of us gain from that! I need to step up and take command and really own up to the coaching position. Nice is for the afterparty!


RToo out...