Sports

But rather than fixating on the things he can’t do, Sablan chooses to focus on things he can.

“While in self-isolation, I've been able to keep at least 25% of my normal training routine,” he says. “In terms of conditioning, I do a lot of multi-directional tire drags and agility sessions. I also make use of the limited weights I have. Other than that it’s good old calisthenics to keep me in shape.”

Sablan also does solo drills to keep his technical skills sharp.

“I do a lot of cone drills to keep my feet light and I like to imagine possible situations to keep my mind engaged,” he says.

Along with physical skills, Sablan also works to develop his intellectual understanding of his sports.

“I watch film for all the sports I compete in and I do follow specific coaches for these sports,” he says. “I enjoy listening to their training podcasts and all the knowledge they have to offer.”

Even though he can’t train with his team, however, Sablan says they’re still a team and continue to support each other even though they have to remain separated.

“I do keep in touch with all my teammates to stay motivated and determined,” he says.

While dedicated athletes will often demonstrate endless creativity in finding ways to workout at home, some organizations have decided to take the guesswork out of it for their competitors.

Jersh Angeles, an assistant coach for the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association — “football” as in “soccer” — says the NMI national football team coaches have essentially created a distance conditioning program for their athletes to follow,

“The national team coaches regularly remind the players to do their exercises at home since they cannot come to the field for their regular training,” Angeles says. “The coaches created videos of different exercises that the players can watch and follow in their homes. We asked them to take videos of their exercises for the day and share it on the group chat.”

Regular exercises include bodyweight exercises, coordination exercises, technical skill drills like ball touches and ball juggling and jogging for 30 to 45 minutes.

The teams have also taken the initiative to develop their own programs and challenges amongst themselves. The women’s national team started a “juggling and tricks” challenge to work on technical skills and the men’s team started a strength training program. Coaches and players also share videos and articles related to football.

Angeles also created a Facebook group called the “I Am Fit Global Challenge” where people of all walks of life can share their home workout videos. Membership is open to anyone and national team members frequently post their own workouts.

It’s often said that sports and athletic training hold many valuable lessons for life. As these athletes have shown, one of those lessons is, in uncertain times like these, to focus less on the things you can’t control and more on the things you can control. And to maintain a positive, can-do attitude through it all.

Photo courtesy of Jersh Angeles