Yesterday we had a two hour training session at Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre near Cleckheaton.
We followed on from the session on Wednesday evening, practicing walls and blocking. We played various scenarios, wall of three, walls of four, jammer and assist. Our walls are improving I think, we just need to co-ordinate better.
About half way through the session I was at the back of the pack. I don’t know if I caught another skater or tripped up over my own feet, but I took a fall, face-planting the floor! If I hadn’t have been wearing a gum shield I would have lost some teeth. As it was I just bust up my bottom lip. It’s nothing too bad, more damage inside than out. My top front teeth know that they’ve taken an impact too. Staff cleaned up my blood from the track and the training continued. I sat out for ten minutes then gingerly rejoined. I practised stops out of the main action for a bit, but then got stuck back in.
The rest of the session went really well. Big Tony got us organised into a decent wall and we held the jammer back quite well. I fear my poor blocking allowed him through on the inside a few times :-)
Then we did “25 in 5”. This is one of the minimum skills that is required recommended before skaters take part in scrimmages or bouts. The rules have just changed, so now it’s “27 in 5”. Gillie counted me round and I managed it!
We cooled down then took team photos in preparation for our first bout coming up on 26 May.
I was out for dinner in the evening, wine helped sooth any aches and pains. Today? I ache! The sign of a good workout :-)
Thanks to Gillie and Mark for another good session. Tony for the lift there, Lawrence and Carly for the lift back. Carly for organising a birthday card and a cake with a candle.