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Browsing: training
Invited to spend a day training at Cambridge United, FourFourTwo weren’t going to win any fitness awards, but would our efforts impress the gaffer Neil Harris?
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.
FFT’s approach is like the hare and tortoise… keep a steady pace at the back and hope someone else pulls a muscle (Image credit: Unknown)
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.
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They’re not going easy on us either, with head of performance Laurence Bloom setting us drills that he has used for the club’s first-team squad this very summer. Notoriously rough for professionals who are used to spending most of the year racking up the miles on a football pitch, FFT has sent a 37-year-old novice along to give it a crack. A 37-year-old novice who hasn’t kicked a ball for several years, due to a questionable fitness record. This could be interesting.
“THE WORRY ISN’T ABOUT PLAYERS COMING BACK IN SHAPE, IT’S MORE THAT SOME MAY DO TOO MUCH”
“They’re putting you through your paces?” laughs winger James Brophy, unable to hide his amusement upon hearing the challenge facing us. The former Leyton Orient man doesn’t do anything for our nerves, as he explains how fitness standards have improved since his early days as a pro with Swindon in 2015, when the sight of players evacuating their breakfast on the side of the pitch wasn’t unusual. Avoiding that fate may be a success.
“Most players already come back into pre-season fit,” explains Brophy. “When I first came into football, it was only just starting to come out of the time when players could have the full six weeks off, go on holiday and not worry about how their body looked or how they came back. Then the first two weeks back were spent throwing up and getting fit. Nowadays, most boys come back fit, so you can’t get away with it.”
Laurence Bloom unlocks a new terror of exploding hamstrings (Image credit: Unknown)
This summer, Cambridge players were sent home with GPS monitors to go alongside their personalised off-season plans, to check out their activity. While GPS can provide some indication of any holiday excesses, the results racked up by the modern-day footballer are more likely to raise concerns of a different kind. It’s a very different world from that of their predecessors.
“We’ve had a lot of issues, not just here but at other clubs too, where some players go off during the off-season doing all sorts of things,” says Bloom. “They’re working with different coaches and trainers, come back for pre-season and pull a hamstring in week one.
“I actually had a player last year who totally snapped his hamstring working with a sprint coach in Manchester. We then had to deal with picking up all his rehab and paying for the surgery, so we monitor a lot more closely what players are doing away from here.
“So the concern isn’t about players coming back in shape, it’s probably more that some of them do too much during the off-season now. Guys on social media all want to be seen to be doing all this training and conditioning work, so that’s more of a problem than them coming back fat or heavy.”
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It’s not just players’ attitudes that have changed. Stories of gruelling pre-season sessions are commonplace from former players on the after-dinner circuit. Some of those rituals were still in place when manager Neil Harris was a footballer. Millwall’s all-time leading goalscorer started his career in Cambridge – albeit with United’s non-league neighbours, City – and experienced some extreme examples in the mid-to-late 90s that wouldn’t fly today.
“In my first summer after signing for Millwall, our first pre-season was over at Greenwich Park, running up and down the hills,” remembers Harris. “You’d run up the hill and your calves were in such a bad state that to get to the bottom, most of us had to go down backwards because they were that sore. But you carried on running.
“Another day, we got back on the minibus, got dropped off halfway back to the training ground and were told, ‘Right, we’ll meet you back there’. We had to run or walk all the way back. “That was what pre-season was, those little mental challenges as well as the physical side of it, which don’t exist now. Sports science is so prevalent that we don’t do things like that any more.”
Pre-seasons may not be feared in quite the same way as in the past, but players still need to dig deep. That has more intangible benefits than simply those that can be pored over in the analysis room after training. “You’re building a culture in the team,” says new signing Dom Ball. “You’re doing all this hard running, you’re blowing and you’re like, ‘Come on boys, we’ve got this together – we’ll be fighting for each other this season, so it starts now’. You want to feel like you’re part of the squad and the culture, that you are part of creating that. It’s setting the standards from the first second.”
And relax… (briefly) (Image credit: Unknown)
Cambridge’s four-year stay in League One ended with relegation to League Two last season. Although they finished nine points adrift of safety, 17 of their 26 league defeats were by a single goal – a factor Brophy says can be affected by a good pre-season.
“There are fine margins in games, so it’s all about training and learning good habits that you bring into a game on a matchday – what you want the team to look like tactically, how you want to behave and what you want to do,” he says. “Once you get into the season, there’s very little time in the week between matches.”
Harris returned for a second stint as boss in February and couldn’t prevent Cambridge from going down. But having a full pre-season to work with his squad, he’s used some of the old-school tricks he learned as a player to help to build a stronger mentality within the group, without ignoring modern methods.
“Sports science is important, but you want to retain that backs-to-the-wall mentality, too,” he reveals. “It’s just the little things, like I used to do a 7am start on the first Saturday of pre-season – although I’ve mellowed in my old age and made it 8am this year! It’s a mental test for the players. In the first week, the first Saturday, we come in because I want to make sure the players get in and no-one’s late.
‘Keep plodding on, don’t give up’ – that’s FFT’s motto today (Image credit: Unknown)
“There are other times when I feel the group might need pushing, so I chuck in a little caveat when they think training is done. I will be like, ‘Right, all in a line, manager’s runs’. I will say, ‘Just keep running until I say stop’. That’s nothing to do with fitness; that’s purely just me giving them that little test again.”
With promises that there will be no curveballs for us today, it’s time for FFT’s own training session. Kitted out in the amber and black stripes of Cambridge’s home strip and some running trainers from club sponsor Brooks, we’re joined by five more non-players who have also volunteered to see if they can survive a pre-season session.
Mental and physical exertions (Image credit: Unknown)
By this point, the trepidation we’re feeling inside is reaching new levels. Walking across the spongy grass to the pristine, green pitch on the far side of the training ground was dragging out the anticipation, as well as using up valuable energy. Forlornly looking for hiding places isn’t going to stop the inevitable from happening now. “These are drills we have worked on with the players during pre-season,” Bloom reminds us.
“I USED TO DO A 7AM START FOR PRE-SEASON. BUT I’VE MELLOWED IN MY OLD AGE AND MADE IT 8AM NOW”
“You’re not used to sprinting at full pace, so we won’t make you do anything like that because we don’t want your hamstrings to explode.” If those words were supposed to be reassuring, they weren’t. Instead, they only served to unlock a brand-new fear. Hamstring and muscle injuries are a big concern for the pros too, though.
While the average distance of 10 to 12 kilometres that a player covers across 90 minutes does not seem all that frightening, it’s made up of a series of short, sharp sprints and sudden direction changes, making pulling up one of the most common reasons for a visit to the physio room.
Waking up underused limbs (Image credit: Unknown)
To help with that, Bloom’s sessions prepare players without putting their bodies under too much duress, with exercises tailored to avoid training ground injuries, while also building strength, power, speed and endurance.
Today, that means beginning with a warm-up run around the pitch, before lining up his six amateurs to take part in a series of exercises designed to wake up even the oldest and most underused limbs. A combination of short runs with abrupt stops, dynamic stretches and moves may not seem too heavy in isolation, but as they roll one after another, the strain starts to show.
So, have FFT made the first XI? (Image credit: Unknown)
During a set of lunges that requires as much mental focus to coordinate a stride forward with lifting our arms above our head, than any physical exertion, a ball of discomfort forms in the back of FFT’s left leg.
An errant touch of the hamstring is spotted by Bloom. “You can stop if you’re struggling,” he shouts. But failure isn’t an option we’re willing to consider, so we keep going, grit our teeth and imagine that we’re starring in our own Rocky montage. The final challenge is the hardest. It’s made up of a series of interval runs of increasing distances, setting timed targets to complete shuttles from one line to another. Short gaps are given after each run to rest before an extra shuttle is then added to the distance, gradually ramping up the intensity to test us mentally and physically.
With three consecutive sets to finish, it’s not for the faint-hearted. With the wear and tear already being felt, FFT needs a strategy to make it to the end. Trying to keep up with the fastest in the group is a surefire way for us to end up in a crumpled heap on the floor, so setting a steady pace in touch with the back is the best bet for completion. As Bloom frequently shouts words of encouragement, our plan commences strongly, but as the sets continue, the gap between the front and the back begins to widen.
The younger, fitter members of the group are keeping up with the time, whereas we’re slipping further back with each shuttle. Don’t stop. Keep plodding on. Don’t give up. Just as it begins to looks as though we’ll be cut off, however, something happens among the leaders.
‘Can you hold this? I need a lie down’ (Image credit: Unknown)
One of them stumbles and suddenly drops back, gasping for air and slowing significantly. They collapse over the line, mere steps ahead of us. Having gone out too quickly, they’re too worn out for the next set.
Then, a couple more shuttles later, the same thing happens again. Another one of the group falters and drops out, with FourFourTwo passing by a second fallen adversary. It’s like a reimagining of the fabled tale of the tortoise and the hare as the finish line looms. We maintain our pace, desperate to ignore the aches and pains to be part of every set.
New signing Kell Watts is among those chatting to the media (Image credit: Unknown)
Slow and steady may not have won the race – or got us anywhere near the standards that are set by professional footballers – but it has helped us avoid humiliation. A sentiment not wasted on the man everyone who pulls on a Cambridge shirt wants to impress. “You kept going. You were one-paced, but you kept going,” says Harris in a tone usually reserved for building up his players.
“I was looking and going, ‘He’s got the right idea, chugging along at the back, happy as Larry’, whereas you could see some of the others pushing each other trying to look the best.”
So, has that smart thinking done enough to earn an unlikely first pro deal at the age of 37? “You’ll be in the vets with me,” laughs Bloom as we leave. That’s probably a no, then. But while we weren’t exactly exceptional, there’s no taking away the badge of honour we’ve earned. FFT survived pre-season. Well, kind of.
If you’ve ever stood around the practice green at a tour event, you’ve likely seen players using a thin string as they putt. It’s called a start-line string or an alignment string, and it’s one of the most effective — yet underrated — training aids for dialing in your putting.
Recently, Ian Poulter shared a behind-the-scenes video explaining how he uses this Tour-trusted training aid to boost his alignment on the green — and how you can too.
How to use an alignment string
The string is stretched between two stakes and runs directly over your target line, giving you a visual guide to align your eyes and putter face. To set it up, Poulter says to put one stake behind the putt line and the other, down behind the hole.
“Roughly where you think where the ball is going to move from,” he says.
From here, he says to hit a few putts to see if your intended start line that you selected reflects what the ball is actually doing.
“You want to see if your eyes picked up how much the ball is going to break,” Poulter says, “This is a really good test.”
You should be able to tell immediately if the line you selected is correct. If your start line is off, simply adjust the string by moving the stake behind the hole to account for any additional curve in the green you didn’t see at first.
Once you have your aim locked in, you can check your start line. All you have to do is watch your ball after you hit it. If your ball rolls directly under the string, you’ve started it on the correct line.
Not only will practicing with this tool improve your alignment, but it will even help you become a better green reader. You can also use the alignment string to check your eye position — a crucial aspect of the setup — and stroke length.
To check your eye position, Poulter says to set up to a ball with your putter — with the string over the midline of the golf ball. Grab a second ball and bring it directly under your dominant eye. Then drop it from this position.
“You want that ball ideally to land straight on top of the ball that’s below,” he says, “That means that your eyeline is straight above the line.”
To check your stroke, Poulter says to place two tees down to mark the length of your stroke.
“You would like, in an ideal world, for the backstroke to be exactly the same distance as the follow through,” Poulter says, “That helps to give you a nice tempo back, slight acceleration onto the actual ball itself. And then as the putt finishes, it finishes the same distance on the way through, as the distance you’ve taken it back.”
The alignment string might be a simple tool, but as Ian Poulter shows, its impact on putting performance can be huge. Whether you’re working on aim, eye position, or stroke consistency, this underrated training aid gives you the fast feedback you need to putt like the pros.
If you watch Rory McIlroy on the range at any tour event, chances are that you’ll see him toting around a little green ball with him — and this week at the DP World India Championship was no different.
Early this week, a video of McIlroy using his trusty training aid, The Connector by Sure Golf, went viral on social media.
While some fans are already familiar with this tool, many are just discovering its benefits. So, let’s break down why this simple device is so effective.
What is it?
The Connector is a foam ball designed to promote proper arm and wrist positioning throughout the golf swing, and you can purchase your own at the link below.
The Connector by Sure Golf
Introducing the Most Versatile Training Aid in Golf
Correct Body-Arm Synchronisation
Suitable for ALL Skills
Assured Swing Performance Enhancement
Improves Compression
Learn by Sensation, Not Information
Unique Soft Memory Foam Construction
Suitable for ALL Skills
Roll it Pure…Hit Crisp Chips…Flight your Pitches…Compress your Iron Shots…Launch your Drives…The Connector up-skills all aspects of your games for a radical shift in performance.
Perfect Body-Arm Synchronization
The Connector effortlessly trains the correct arm structure to work in unison with your body. This unified action is the cornerstone of all effective golf swings, laying the groundwork for perfect fundamentals.
Powerful Impact Alignments
The Connector illuminates the path to creating powerful impact alignments, which results in significantly more compression—the key difference often seen between amateur and professional golfers.
To use it, just place it between your forearms with the alignment rods facing up. As you make a few swings, focus on squeezing the ball just enough to keep it in place. You should quickly feel your upper body, core, and lower body syncing up almost immediately.
How it helps
In the video above, you can see McIlroy rehearsing with this tool, and it seems like he’s focusing on a few key positions in his swing: mid-backswing, top of the swing, and delivery.
With the Connector, he can work on all of these aspects of his swing at once. Let’s look at each and how this tool can help.
Mid-backswing
At this point in the swing, the goal is to keep the arms in front of the chest while the trail arm folds naturally. To get in this position, the arms need a bit of structure and the right amount of space. If they collapse or separate, this can drain power from the swing.
The Connector helps keep the arms in front of the chest and the forearms properly spaced, promoting a wide, structured backswing. This helps to cultivate power on the way back — loading the swing with a ton of speed that’s ready to fire on the way down.
Top of the swing
In position two, the Connector helps the arms stay connected and structured. By squeezing the device at the top of the swing, the arms won’t disconnect or drift away from the body — a common cause of improper sequencing in the downswing.
It also keeps the elbows close together and the arms in front of the chest, which is an optimal position to get in to shallow the club effectively — a cornerstone of McIlroy’s effortless power.
Delivery
During the delivery — right before impact — the arms should be extended out front and connected as everything rotates through the shot. But, if timing gets off or the arms get stuck too far inside, players often end up casting the club or extending early. Using the Connector helps keep everything in a compact position that’s working together in proper sequence, making it easier to “slot” the club for a powerful delivery at impact.
It’s easy to see why this training aid has earned a permanent spot in McIlroy’s range routine. Whether you’re building better structure, working on sequencing, or just trying to clean things up, The Connector is a simple tool that delivers meaningful feedback — and it’s one the pros trust.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is pleased with Luka DonÄić’s mindset is heading into the 2025-26 season.
“There’s a ton of excitement for the opportunity to coach the best version of him and get the best version of him on a daily basis,” he told reporters Monday. “And I’ve got to bring that out, it’s a part of my job. I’ve talked to him since day one about that. But he’s in a clear-headed space, his body is really good. He’s motivated by winning. I know this because I talk to him about it all the time. He’s motivated by winning, and if we win at a high level, he will be in that conversation for MVP.”
DonÄić has looked noticeably slimmer since last season, perhaps motivated by the Dallas Mavericks’ shocking decision to trade him and the subsequent reports that they weren’t happy with how he maintained his body.
Like a jilted lover, DonÄić has had a post-breakup glow-up, and the Lakers are hoping he can lead them to a title this season. Even in his previous form he was a menace for opponents, averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.2 steals between the Mavs and Lakers last season, shooting 45 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three.
The team’s title hopes may ultimately rest on LeBron James’ health and whether they have a good enough supporting cast, but DonÄić seems primed for a big campaign.
Ronda Rousey played coy this week when asked about a potential return to the UFC Octagon in the future.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Rousey was asked if she was training for a UFC comeback, prompting her to respond by saying, “I just had a baby. I’m just trying to get my bodily identity back, and I’m just enjoying being in the gym again. I just feel a lot better and a lot healthier.”
Rousey added: “It just feels really good to get that freedom of movement back and just getting back to training for the love of it. And I feel like that’s something I lost before.”
The line of questioning was spurred by Rousey posting videos of herself working out in the cage and hitting the mitts on Instagram this month.
Rousey, 38, was once heralded as the best women’s MMA fighter in the world, but she has not competed in a fight since 2016.
The inaugural UFC women’s bantamweight champion began her pro MMA career a perfect 12-0 with nine submissions and three knockouts before a shocking loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in 2015.
Just over one year later, Rousey stepped back inside the Octagon and got knocked out by Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, marking her final fight.
After that, Rousey transitioned into the world of pro wrestling, enjoying two stints in WWE and becoming a three-time women’s champion, one-time tag team champion, one-time Royal Rumble winner and one-time WrestleMania main eventer in the company.
In January, Rousey gave birth to her second daughter with husband Travis Browne, and her response to questions about fighting again primarily focused on her desire to get in shape following her pregnancy.
UFC President Dana White has usually shot down rumors of a Rousey return to MMA quickly over the years, but his responses to those questions have been more diplomatic recently.
This week, White told reporters of Rousey: “Her and I are still very close and we talk. I would say we probably talk once every three months or something like that. She was in Vegas recently, and she came by the offices, but I don’t know what her plans are. I think she’s just training again.”
White went on to say, “She’s just had another baby, and she’s in great shape right now. She’s frigging ripped like she used to be. So, I don’t know.”
That suggests the chances of Rousey returning to MMA are higher now than they once were, but neither she nor White are making any definitive statements.
Ultimately, the ball is likely in Rousey’s court since UFC would undoubtedly welcome her back with open arms given that she is one of the biggest draws in company history.
Michail Antonio is reportedly training with a new club as he hopes to secure a contract.
Antonio, 35, left West Ham United in the summer after a road traffic accident saw the forward break his leg in four different places.
The Hammers helped Antonio in his recovery, but new reports have suggested the striker is keeping fit and has begun training with a Premier League rival.
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Michail Antonio reportedly training with new Premier League club
Michail Antonio in training with former club West Ham (Image credit: Getty Images)
Antonio has played twice for West Ham’s Under-21s so far this season, featuring in games against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.
FourFourTwo understands the veteran forward wants to remain in London, given his family commitments.
Michail Antonio is also a pundit for TNT Sports this season (Image credit: TNT Sports)
Alongside his current punditry duties, one source on X (formerly known as Twitter) has relayed information that Antonio is now training with Brentford in a bid to earn a short-term contract with Keith Andrews’ side.
The Bees lost strikers Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa this summer, but have since seen Igor Thiago assume the natural starting berth at the Gtech Community Stadium.
“I’ve got something to prove to show that I can come back, I can come back and play well, which I was doing for the last 10 years,” Antonio said back in August, when asked if he still wishes to continue playing.
“Even before I did the car crash, I was starting for West Ham, so it shows I’ve still got that ability about me and I can do it again.”
Keith Andrews took over after Thomas Frank at Brentford earlier this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)
In FourFourTwo‘s view, the Bees’ immediate aim is to remain as a Premier League club this season, and having someone with Antonio’s experience around could be beneficial.
It remains to be seen whether a contract will be offered to the forward, with Mirror Sport suggesting Andrews and his side have no intention of doing so.
Based on how the Toronto Maple Leafs practiced on Monday, it appears Dennis Hildeby will be the clubâ€s backup goaltender behind Anthony Stolarz when the regular season opens on Oct. 8 against the Montreal Canadiens. This means the situation with James Reimer, who is on a professional tryout, remains unclear.
Stolarz and Hildeby were the only two goaltenders on the ice with the clubâ€s projected NHL lineup (except for Henry Thrun, who was placed on waivers the day prior). Asked about Reimer, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was non-committal.
“That’s still up in the air. I don’t have a lot to say on that. He’s had no time,†he said.
Reimer made 24 saves on 28 shots in a 6-5 overtime loss against the Detroit Red Wings in 32:36 of action on Saturday, his first in a Maple Leafs uniform in over nine years after joining the club on a professional tryout. While the numbers weren’t great, it is worth noting Detroit scored all of their goals on Reimer while possessing the man-advantage.
Berube elaborated, justifying the short sample size:
“I mean, he got a half a game. And, you know, we’re in a box for it. So he got a lot of action. But anyways, that’ll play itself out right now,†Berube said.
Reimer was signed to a professional tryout just days after Joseph Woll departed the club to tend to a personal matter. Reimer skated with all of the other Marlies and waiver-pending players who were part of Marlies marketing day.
Berube was asked if there was an update on Woll.
“Well, there is. You know, that’s all personal stuff and private. But it’s not like we’re not in contact with himâ€. Berube said, while adding that he last communicated with Woll before the player went on leave.
The Leafs appear to be happy with how Hildeby has progressed at training camp. In three games, Hildeby posted a .920 save percentage, better than any of the five Leafs goaltenders at camp.
‘I Haven’t Had That Much Fun In A Long Time’: James Reimer Reflects On First Maple Leafs Practice in 9 Years And When He May Play
James Reimer stepped onto the ice in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey for the first time in over nine years on Saturday and the veteran NHL goaltender couldn’t stop smiling from ear-to-ear.
As Toronto leans on Stolarz, they could deploy Hildeby for the second night of back-to-back games. Toronto’s first instance of back-to-backs isnâ€t until Oct. 13 against the Red Wings and then Oct. 14 at home against the Nashville Predators. In the meantime, the Leafs can wait and see how Stolarz, fresh off signing a four-year, $15-million contract, handles the increased workload.
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The Kings might be the most conditioned team during the 2025-26 NBA season.
On Day 5 of Sacramento training camp, power forward Drew Eubanks explained how coach Doug Christieâ€s squad has been working in ways the veteran never has experienced over his lengthy career in the league.
“Itâ€s been really good,†Eubanks told reporters Saturday. “Honestly, this is probably the hardest training camp Iâ€ve had or ever been a part of. It seems like every single day has been a two-and-a-half-hour [or] three-hour practice where weâ€re getting up and down competing.Â
“And yeah, itâ€s been great so far. Love it.â€
Eubanks, who signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Kings on July 8 after being waived by the Los Angeles Clippers, is a seven-year NBA veteran.
His endorsement of how challenging the Kings†training camp is appears to be positive. And Eubanks wouldnâ€t mess around, considering he played four seasons under legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
Sacramento hopes Eubanks can help the Kings off the bench, especially as a reserve behind star center Domantas Sabonis. Eubanks is confident that the tiring regimen only will help the new-look Purple and Black when the season starts on Oct. 21.
“Weâ€re just going to be in better shape once the season starts — more connected,†Eubanks said.
Eubanks has career averages of 5.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists. He will be competing with players such as Dario Šarić for reserve minutes in the frontcourt.
The plan, Luka Doncic said Thursday after the the Lakers†third day of training camp, is to go “a little bit slower†during these sessions so he doesnâ€t totally tax his body after a summer of playing hoops with his countryâ€s national team.
About a month ago, Doncic and Slovenia were eliminated from the 2025 EuroBasket in the quarterfinals by Germany, his 39 points not enough to salvage a win.
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Doncic, who slimmed down this offseason, had been playing at a peak level then, but now he and the Lakers want to ease him back into things with the hopes of avoiding injuries.
“Yeah, obviously probably take it a little bit slower than the usual,†said Doncic, who will play in the Lakers†first preseason game Friday night against the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert. “I had a busy summer. I think month, month and a half I was with national team. So, it was kind of a lot. But that got me ready for the preseason and obviously regular season. So, for me, I think it really helps.â€
This camp for the Lakers and Doncic is all about being in tip-top shape, something coach JJ Redick stressed after they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It has meant more drills, more running, more exertion.
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“Yeah, we just talked about today,†Doncic said. “It’s not just physical shape. It’s mental shape too. So, that kind of goes both ways. Both are very important. We’re doing practice. It was great. Everybody’s in great shape. Everybody’s running a lot so it’s been great so far.â€
Over the first three days of camp, the Lakers have seen Doncic dominate.
They have seen his creativity, his ability to find teammates from all places on the court.
“Yeah. I think I’m just reminded of his own greatness,†Gabe Vincent said. “He sees the floor so well. He could score from anywhere on the floor. He is always a threat. But he does such a good job of commanding defenses. He gets all 10 eyes on him and he sees the floor and he makes a good read nine times out of 10.â€
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Still, there are moments when the Lakers are learning how to play alongside Doncic. They are learning his style, which can only help them during the regular season
“Yeah, I think a bit,†Vincent said. “But like I don’t really see Luka as a premeditated individual, you know what I mean? He’s very much so reading and reactive, so you have to read and react with him. So I see it that way. He’s high IQ. LeBron [James is] pretty similar in that route as well. So, it’s definitely still learning him, learning what he likes and doesn’t like. And just playing at his level.â€
Getting in shape
Since the end of last season, the mantra from Redick was for his team to be in championship shape.
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To that end, at the close of the Lakers†third day of training camp, Redick pushed his players in which they had to run for six minutes, 10 minutes and six minutes.
“I don’t know if they like me right now for what we just finished practice with,†Redick joked.
Apparently, Vincent said, it wasnâ€t an issue for him and his teammates.
“I told JJ about a week or two ago, I said, ‘If we all hate you, but we all hate you collectively, that’s great,††Vincent said. “So, as long as we’re together in it. … Obviously no one wants to run at the end of a long practice. But we know the goal we have set for ourselves and we know what we’re trying to do moving forward and we all embraced it, we all got the run in and we all got better for it.â€
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Injury update
Redick said James, Maxi Kleber (quad), Marcus Smart (achilles tendinopathy) and Aduo Thiero (knee) will not play against the Suns.
Redick said Kleber had an MRI exam and that “heâ€ll be out a few days.â€
“Itâ€s a very minor thing with his quad,†Redick said. “But weâ€re going to be cautious with him, just like we will all our guys right now.â€
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
After his second season in the NBA was cut short due to the discovery of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, San Antonio Spurs star big man Victor Wembanyama attacked the offseason with fury in hopes of building his body back up.
“My training this summer, it was brutal,” Wembanyama said at Spurs media day, per The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. He went on to explain that he committed to a strict regimen that didn’t include much offensive work.
“This summer, I chose to do something much more violent,” Wembanyama added. “Maybe that takes away from some time I can spend on shooting the basketball, but it doesn’t matter. I wanted to get my body back.”
Wembanyama was averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a league-leading 3.8 blocks before his season ended in February after just 46 games. Weiss explained, “The doctor visits, the games watching from the sideline, it all got to him.” The 21-year-old traveled across the world and “lived life to the fullest this summer” before beginning his preparation for the 2025-26 season.
Wembanyama arrived back to San Antonio for training camp with a renewed energy, evidenced by an intense drill in which he “defends a one-on-one sequence against every player in the gym without a breather. Once he’s taken everyone on, he sprints down to the other end of the court and goes right back into it,” per Weiss.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone work out like that,” Spurs wing Julian Champagnie told Weiss. “It’s crazy to see.”
Wembanyama made it clear that his commitment to the defensive side of the ball this year will emanate through the entire team, which would surely help San Antonio return to playoff contention.
“From the first game of the preseason, (defense) is a non-negotiable. It’s not something you can’t do if you want to be a part of our team,” Wembanyama said. “We’re going to hold each other accountable. We know the coaches are gonna hold us accountable. It doesn’t matter your status, defense is non-negotiable.”