"As the ball trickles off the edge of the playing surface, FourFourTwo's heart rate suddenly increases. Rolling towards us, the perfectly round sphere is absolutely begging to be kicked back towards the group of Cambridge United players who are performing shooting drills a matter of yards away. There's no chance we're missing our opportunity. Stepping forward, we confidently stride on to the ball and sidefoot it back into play with all the grace of a rusty pair of shears. Jerky and stiff."
"But it does not matter. The pass is straight and skids across the floor back into the throng of players. They don't acknowledge the gesture, although it's of little significance because FFT considers that our first challenge of the day has successfully been completed. We're at the U's training ground for a visit with a difference. Today we're mixing it with the League Two side's first team to sample what it's like to take part in a fitness session."
A 37-year-old novice with a questionable recent fitness record attempts Cambridge United first-team training. The novice reacts nervously when the ball rolls onto the playing surface and sidefoots it back toward shooting drills, executing a jerky, stiff pass. Head of performance Laurence Bloom administers the same demanding drills used by the first-team squad that summer. The session is intentionally tough for professionals accustomed to racking up miles on the pitch. Concern centers not on players failing to regain shape but on some returning players possibly doing too much. Winger James Brophy responds with amusement at the challenge.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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