Special Training heading into Semis

[The Axe]

Brisbane has now lost 2 on the trot. From memory, is it not true that Bennet likes to run a program of heavy weights leading to the semis and history shows losses during the running of such programs.

For the coacxhes and people that know, does this still happen? Is it common practise? Do we take this approach?

All knowledgeable input welcomed.

[zac]

Can't answer any of your interesting questions, but there is a good piece in the SMH today by Malcolm Knox which points out that losing games in the run up to the semis isn't necessarily a recipe for success.

[The ticket]

Bennett is well known for "changing up" about six weeks out from the semis. My understanding is it relates more to game strategy than conditioning but I am sure that is also part if it. The theory is that what wins you games over 26 weeks will not be quite the same as what wins you semis and finals.

Interesting to compare this year (Bennetts first back at Brisbane) with 2009, (Bennetts first at Saints). In 2009 Saints led the comp all year then had a slump around this time of year, recovered, and then got bundled out of the semis. Bennett was interviewed after that season and pretty much said that when he executed the change up, the side were simply not able to cope with it - he had no choice but to go back to the regular season approach and hope for the best. The following year he had a handle on them and they went on to win the comp (sorry to reopen old wounds)

Will be really interesting to see what the old man has learnt from his time at saints.

[player 1]

Bennett is well known for "changing up" about six weeks out from the semis. My understanding is it relates more to game strategy than conditioning but I am sure that is also part if it. The theory is that what wins you games over 26 weeks will not be quite the same as what wins you semis and finals.

Interesting to compare this year (Bennetts first back at Brisbane) with 2009, (Bennetts first at Saints). In 2009 Saints led the comp all year then had a slump around this time of year, recovered, and then got bundled out of the semis. Bennett was interviewed after that season and pretty much said that when he executed the change up, the side were simply not able to cope with it - he had no choice but to go back to the regular season approach and hope for the best. The following year he had a handle on them and they went on to win the comp (sorry to reopen old wounds)

Will be really interesting to see what the old man has learnt from his time at saints.

...with the indispensable and remarkable help of Tony Archer and his merry band of match fixers....

[ism22]

My uneducated opinion is that every team takes it weak by weak.

FWIW... I've never been a league coach (or a professional coach) but when I studied sports science and PE teaching at uni (now a fat and have retrained in a different profession so am no expert on it) my understanding is that this could be a possible tactic.

Cardio happens off-season. A common tactic during the season is to pump massive weights THEN do your regular training. I think it's sorta military styls where you train people to exhaustion. It's common... for example... for sprinters to do 6 sets of 200m sprints with power squats in between (max weight, 2-3 reps). Elite runners will see little drop in their 200m times by the last one.

That said, did any of this work for Wayne in Newcastle? I wouldn't buy too much into it. It's just as likely that the Broncos have been super lucky this season and the REAL contenders (us, Bulldogs, Souths, [Manly?]...etc) are starting to hit their straps. Who knows?

[dice]

It does happen. Cam Smith mentioned it this week on Fox Sports. I have said many times that it is physically impossible to maintain peak strength or fitness for any longer than a few weeks.

I know this first hand through my own training and studies. Whenever I reach a new PB I tend to go backwards very fast and if I don't back off I will either get sick or injured.

Teams who are "safe" have the luxury of resting stressed or injured players, or targeting specific areas of physical improvement before the finals. IMO, what happened last week with all top 4 teams losing or close to was no coincidence. Also note that some of our forwards have intentionally been rested over the last few weeks.

[2026]

Some coaches increase the load at training around this point in the competition before tapering the training sessions to a shorter, sharper and even less frequent number to achieve a primary peak performance or window.

[Tommy Smith]

Both JWH and Friend will.be rested over the next two games imo. Maybe even Napa too.

It's the Knights and Eels so this is our chance.

[2026]

Key for us is managing fatigue imo.

There is no doubting we have the roster/talent to win this comp however there will be a point in a game where this may not be enough.

Our will, and more importantly energy levels to go effort on effort for a sustained period could be the difference especially against a lopsided penalty count.

[Tommy Smith]

Agreed.

I would hate to see us use up loads of energy striving for a top 2 position. We can win at Suncorp no problems so 3rd is fine.

I'd much rather us follow the 2013 model which saw us taper off with two straight losses to the Sharks and Titans in rnd 25 & 26. After which we exploded over the next month.

[Johnny Tobin]

Bennett is the biggest myth in the game. When you start wanting to copy him it's time to give up.

[Bigchook]

Bennett is the biggest myth in the game. When you start wanting to copy him it's time to give up.

Lol while the media do overhype him his state and premiership tally speak for themselves. Hardly a myth. Our team last yr is proof that the best roster doesn't always win the comp.

[JAF]

Being in the top 4 and then winning your first game (and hence the week off) is very important to your chance of making it to the GF.
This is why we were unable to go back-to-back last year.

[Johnny Tobin]

Lol while the media do overhype him his state and premiership tally speak for themselves. Hardly a myth. Our team last yr is proof that the best roster doesn't always win the comp.

Should have won the comp every year with the Qld Origin side and a whole state to draw upon. The Saints premiership? Well that was a gift.

[bondi paul]

staying off the booze was a good idea by the team. the morale shown recently both on and off the field and with changes to our style of play clearly evident the past month i hope it continues as I am quietly confident we have a special team to go all the way.