(S29) PT 1 - Training Camp

[KezKincaid]

It was a whirlwind offseason for Gronku Muerto. After going all the way to the Ultimini finals with Tijuana, Muerto had no time to rest after that, as he had to prepare for the ISFL Draft. Selected by Berlin as the last pick in the first round, he had to hop on a flight to Europe to attend the ISFL Training Camp. It was clear that as a raw rookie, his skills were not quite up to the level of play that the current players on the Fire Salamanders possessed, and the coaches and management made it clear that he would need more time to improve. It was still a great experience as he got to participate in drills and practices, and get a sense of what kind of work still needed to be done to get himself up to that caliber of play. So after a couple of weeks, he had to head back to Tijuana to prepare for his second season in the DSFL. Here, the tables were turned, as Gronku was now the vet with all the experience. Named a Team Captain for the offense, Gronku was expected to be more involved with helping the new rookies acclimate to the league, and to lead by example on the field. The most important thing Gronku shared with the young talent that had joined the team, was where to find the best tacos and margaritas in town. Hint: the more divey and run-down the location is, the better the food!

[Amulos]

The season is officially starting soon, and players have reported back to their teams for training camp. Talk us through how training camp went. Which teammates reported late? What did training camp entail for you and your teammates to do. Do you think it prepared for you for the upcoming season? Any secret plays your team has come up with? So many different ways to go with this, just be creative.

Training camp went great! It was good to see all the rookies get out on the field together this early on, it takes some time to get used to the playbook, and we have a lot of talented veterans to learn from. For me and the other defensive backs, we spent most of the time on agility training, but we had quite a few opportunities to do some 7 on 7's for a little light scrimmaging. It was crazy to see how much faster the receivers are at the next level, and really just the effort and ferocity that goes into completing each play. I swear it took me two days to even defend ONE pass, but once it happened the flood gates opened. It feels a lot more natural to me in the ISFL and you can really tell how much pride these guys have playing for the Liberty. I will say that Xavier Walls has really become quite the diva since being taken 4th in the draft though. He's been showing up late to practices, even once I think he asked a veteran he didn't recognize if he wanted an autograph. I'm hoping he is humbled soon but you never know with guys like that.

[huck24]

SHL affiliate

[3lewsers]

PBE Affiliate PT

[Vorshayla]

Training camp was a little different this year.  PickSix II showed up late because he was just a bench warmer, since when do I need to practice sitting on a bench?  Well, apparently the GMs of Chicago had other plans this year because PickSix was slotted into the special teams role as a KR and a PR as well as he was to be given more time on the field as 3rd string CB but 2nd string on most of the defensive schemes they wanted to try this year.

After a grueling season last year, apparently the Butchers are willing to try anything and everything to help get their franchise back on track and they are looking to see if PickSix II can have the same championship pedigree as his namesake.  PickSix II, while showing up late to camp did everything he could during camp to get in shape and to help the team that took a chance on him.  They must have seen something they liked because PickSix II also signed a lucrative contract extention for the next 3 years not including this one to remain with the team he's ever only known, especially when some of the more talented stars of the Butchers defense are nearing retirement age and losing a spring in their step.  

Training camp is just a proving ground where you go through the paces and try not to get injured anyway, bring on the season is what PickSix II says.

246 words

[supertardis101]

PBE PT

[Zoone16]

Following the DSFL draft, Tight End Nick L. Back was quick to make his way down to Norfolk for his very first training camp as a member of the Seawolves. Being disappointed in not having been drafted in the first round of the DSFL draft, Back had something to prove to the coaches, the ISFL scouts and more importantly, to himself, as rumours of him being a diva and a lazy player were starting to surface. Among a field of new draftees for the Seawolves, Back distinguished himself with his speed and his ability to catch the ball in difficult positions. He was however found lacking in strength and endurance compared to some of his fellow draftees and was sent to the gym to work on his cardio & muscles. Training camp also means pre-season games and even if he participated in all 4 pre-season games for Norfolk, he wasn’t as utilized as others, who were fighting for precious spots on the team, were prioritized to get a better grasp on their capabilities. Overall, the training camp was able to expose Nick L. Back’s strengths and weaknesses and have given him the opportunity to improve himself in order to become a better player and a better contributor to the Norfolk Seawolves’ quest for an Ultmini championship.

[AgentSmith]

Borgo spent this offseason spending time with and getting to know the newest Tight End in Philadelphia, a Mr. Chevvy Bronko. Bronko was brought up to the team immediately after getting drafted in the S29 ISFL draft, coming off a great season with the Bondi Beach Buccaneers, where he had almost 1000 yards receiving on 72 receptions, making him an attractive prospect for a team losing their top tight end to retirement the season before. San Lorenzo helped Bronko learn the ropes of the Philly offense, as well as showing him around the city, enjoying all the finest cheesesteak locations they could find. San Lorenzo could tell that Bronko was going to fit in right away both on and off the field, and is very appreciative that the front office in Philadelphia didn’t leave him out to dry when it came to tight end responsibilities. With a reduction in the running power for the offense, San Lorenzo knew that he would be relied upon more heavily, so this season he’s really focusing on his training to become a true receiving tight end, and having the backup of Bronko is going to be a tremendous help as they both grow into their roles as one of the most feared tight end duos in the league.

Code:

214 words

[Billybolo53]

PBE PT

[MMFLEX]

Miles Weperom got to training camp late as he remained in London until he knew for sure where he would be playing next season. With unexpected high winds in throughout England, Miles had his flight delayed to Norfolk twice and when he finally landed he was sick from the flight and missed an extra day of training camp. Miles had to put a lot more mental effort into learning the plays and schemes at practice. With being a day down and new to the squad he was getting worked on the field during 7 on 7s. He looked like he was in a drunken stupor most of the time, taking tiny stutter steps in one direction and then sprinting after a man he'd blown coverage on. A lot of the team was questioning their #1 pick. The entire week of training camp Miles would leave the facility and fall asleep in his car in the parking lot. This was a different situation than getting eased in as a waiver pickup and being put in simple schemes. Being thrust into full workouts and needing to learn the entire playbook quickly was physically and mentally taxing on him. After a week of camp Miles got his feet under him and feels prepared for the season ahead of him.

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