How Was Your Week Paul Marshall?

Saturday 17th October 2009
Well after the game at Murryfield last Saturday the players who started the game were assessed by GG (Gareth Robinson our physio), showered and went off to have a bite to eat. The replacements who played less that 30 minutes headed for the pitch for a brisk training session. After a quick shower then a bite to eat all the squad headed back to the team hotel. At 8.00pm we all met at the pool for a rehab session, and some players lifted weights in the gym.

The coaches spent most of the evening analysing the match video and preparing clips for the debrief in the morning.

Sunday 18th October 2009
Up early on Sunday morning we had breakfast followed by the debrief of the match at 9.00am. The coaches went through the match video, highlighting areas that needed to be worked on during the week ahead. After this it was off to the airport and the flight home at noon.

Monday 19th October 2009
If Ulster play a match on a Saturday, the following Monday is a recovery day for those who played. The replacements and the remainder of the squad met at Newforge. The backs worked on their skills with Neil Doak, the forwards hitting the gym for their strength and conditioning programmes.

The weekend is a busy time for our performance analyst Alex McCloy who by this stage had undertaken a detailed analysis of the game on Saturday. He had logged the contributions made by every player such as tackles made or missed, passes and off-loads given, kicks, line breaks, turnovers for and against, lineouts, scrums, everything is looked at in detail. Coaches and players have access to this information, and the clips are a vital tool in helping players improve their skills and performance. Alex then looks at videos of this week’s opposition, in this case Leinster, highlighting sequences for the backs and forwards to analyse while preparing throughout the week for the game on Saturday.

Tuesday 20th October 2009
Everyone went to the Sports Institute at Jordanstown. It was great driving up the motorway knowing that I would not have to face the wind and rain during the training session. We started off with a team meeting, had a look at video footage and discussed tactics. The facilities are great, when the forwards had the indoor 3G pitch the backs worked in the gym then we swapped around.

We had a bit of light lunch and a coffee, and then it was out to the pitch for the afternoon session where the forwards and backs worked together.

Wednesday 21st October 2009
Back to Newforge for general rehab work in the gym. The focus here is in developing core and stability through various exercise techniques. After lunch a number of players are involved with media duties at the squad announcement and press conference, which is usually held at 1.00pm.

In the afternoon it was back to strength and conditioning in the gym followed by more video analysis and various team meetings.

Thursday 22nd October 2009
Thursday is a rest day for most of the starting team although some players will meet to work through specific skills. A number of players will go to Ravenhill, Ian and Clinton will practice kicking, while Bossy and I work on passing and box kicking. Forwards would work on lineouts and again video analysis is used to improve technique and timing.

Friday 23rd October 2009
On the day before a game the starting 22 gather for the Captain’s Run. We start with a warm-up followed by a team meeting. Then it is straight into the Captain’s Run and after this we all have lunch together.

Saturday 24th October 2009
Match day – For a 6.00pm kick-off I normally get up at 9.30am and have a decent breakfast of porridge or scrambled eggs. I watch a bit of sport on TV then head off to meet David Pollock, Andrew Trimble and Niall O’Connor for lunch. Niall is never on time; it takes him so long to do his hair!! After lunch, which is usually soup and sandwiches, I will try and eat again around 2.30pm. This time it would more substantial, chicken and pasta with pancakes to follow, or something like that. I would then read or watch a DVD just to relax before heading for Ravenhill for about 4.15pm. GG is there early to strap players, and then we change and get ready for our team meeting at 5.00pm. After this meeting individual players will have their own warm-up drill to undergo on the pitch with the team joining together for their warm-up at 5.25pm. At about 5.50pm we will head into the changing rooms to pull on those famous white jerseys and the game will kick off at 6.00pm.

After the game we will shower then undertake various corporate and media duties before heading home.

Sunday will be a rehab day at the pool and gym, it includes physio and massage then the whole cycle begins again.