Strength & Conditioning

It has been excellent to witness the growth and development of each Ivanhoe Edge athlete throughout Term 1.

 For many students, this training block marked their introduction to new movements and methodologies. Our strength sessions have centred on enhancing muscular strength and power through a diverse range of training approaches. Plyometrics have been a focal point, with emphasis placed on learning various jumping, bounding, and hopping exercises. The incorporation of a variety of movements aims to enhance the athletes' movement literacy while producing improvements in lower body elasticity. To develop upper body power, a range of upper body exercises have been used, such as medicine ball passes, slams, and jump push-ups. Single effort jumps in both vertical and horizontal directions have been utilized to educate athletes on body projection and safe landing techniques. 

Following the initial return to gym training block, students have progressed to strength programs tailored to their training age and school year. Younger students are honing their skills using bodyweight strength exercises and advancing to more complex variations, while older students have begun to train with barbells and dumbbells. It's been fantastic to witness all students pushing their limits and making progress, whether mastering bodyweight push-ups or learning the Bench Press. 

The objective of the speed and agility sessions for Term 1 was to introduce students to a wide array of movement skills relevant to various sports. Throughout the term, sessions focused on three main areas: initiation, transition, and actualisation movement skills. Initiation skills emphasize starting in any direction from a static or moving position, such as sprinting left in tennis to respond to a cross-court shot. Transition skills aim to enhance the ability to maintain a controlled position to execute subsequent sport skills effectively, such as side shuffling in basketball to facilitate defensive plays like a steal.

Finally, actualisation skills involve acceleration, maximal speed, and curved running, each playing a crucial role in improving sports performance. Moving forward, we'll continue to refine the technical and physical aspects of these movement skills while introducing more sport-specific scenarios. 

Holiday Gym Program

During the upcoming Term 1 holidays, we aim to offer Ivanhoe Edge strength and speed sessions. The form will be posted through the Ivanhoe Edge Teams. Please fill out the form to select the sessions you wish to attend. Sessions subject to adequate student numbers. 

Changes to Your Schedule

If there are any changes to your schedule and you need to switch one or more of your current sessions, please email me, and I can assist you. 

Coaching Highlights

We are fortunate to have some exceptional strength and conditioning coaches working with our Ivanhoe Edge athletes. Outside of his coaching, Sam Allen is passionate about football. He has recently signed with Port Melbourne FC for the 2024 season! His dedication and hard work have paid off, so be sure to catch the Borough's matches in the upcoming season.

Kristy Harris has been busy overseas, meeting with her fellow board of directors on the International Boxing Association. She assisted in a variety of pivotal decisions that will shape the boxing landscape in the next couple of years. 

Karl Trounson was instrumental in the Ivanhoe Edge program during Term 4 last year. Excitingly, Karl is working with the Australian Men's Basketball team. We wish Karl the best of luck in the upcoming Olympics in Paris. Hopefully, he can help bring home a gold!