Understand the phases of your offseason training

Fairfield attackman Colin Burke, then a freshman, vs. UMass Lowell during a 2016 game. (Stockton Photo)

Offseason strength training is your opportunity to address fundamental weaknesses that negatively affect your game. The ability to play the game well comes from the product you decide to put on the field.

Increasing speed, strength, power and endurance can complement your game, but poor planning and program design also can ill-prepare you for its grueling demands. Quality offseason strength programs range from three to six months in length and are comprised of three phases.

Program design should always be customized to each player’s specific weaknesses, but the overall goal ultimately will be the same: to increase speed, power, strength and endurance en route to becoming a more dominant player than the season before.