England Futsal Head Coach Peter Sturgess has been blogging from the Three Lions camp as his squad prepare to start their Four Nations Tournament.
An early breakfast started the familiar routine.
There is a certain comfort in the structure that camps and tournaments give. Our schedule allows players and staff to plan their days, identifying the important times; meals and rest periods for the players and for the staff, training and team meeting times. It is almost like being on automatic pilot as the build-up to the first game grows ever nearer.
Four Nations Tournament
Cyprus, England, Qatar, USA
5-8 June 2014
Northumbria University Sport Central
The players had a light session on Wednesday morning, as many were involved in the Grand Finals at the weekend. There are always aches and pains but once warmed-up, the possession work looked really sharp with the squad passing and moving with creativity and ease. The goalkeepers were then given some practice and they responded well to the extra workload.
The afternoon saw some more possession work under various degrees of pressure, with defensive players both pressing and screening. The quality was good at times and this was taken into a short full court game with some set plays included.
In the evening, there was a team meeting to begin the final preparation for the first game on Thursday evening. The players were asked to begin to play a more active role in these meetings and they responded well as they analysed footage and recorded some suggestions that will form part of our final game plan for the game against Cyprus. This "team" activity will be a part of our journey into an important 2015.
The remainder of the evening was spent as England supporters watching the senior team in the final preparations for their own BIG event. Our squad is not full-time but they are demonstrating the kind of attitude and commitment that will move the programme forward and ensure that the performance levels are of a high standard.
As a coach that is all you can wish for. I am privileged to be involved with the squad as they continue to develop and improve.
With unity comes greatness.
