The sun hung high and hot in the heavens over the VfB players on the training grounds in Grassau on Tuesday. The Cannstatt Boys, however, needed no additional heating, with the intensive Tuesday morning programme causing the lads to work up a sweat. With high-tempo, plentiful challenges and complex match-play situations, the team were put through their paces for 100 minutes. At the end of the work-out, the players again had to overcome their inner weaknesses, with athletics coach Matthias Schiffers beckoning the lads for some progressive sprints. The strain on the players has been significant since preparations began on July 3rd. Both psychological as well as physical demands have been leaving their marks on some of the players. The situation means the coach is not only busy ensuring his men achieve their maximum physical status, but also that the demands on his men are not too extreme.
Individual training control
A tweaking in the muscle or other difficulties result in the immediate implementation of individual training control. In collaboration with the team doctors, the coaches adjust an individual training programme for the respective player. Then the responsibility shifts to Andreas Schumacher. Born in Stuttgart, Schumacher took over as individual trainer for the licenced players this season. Those who are close to returning to full team training, but are, for example, not fit for full contact in the tackles, can and should work together with Andreas Schumacher. "It’s fun to see the lads pulling their weight," commented the 36-year-old in an interview with VfB TV, adding: "We can plan in more detail for individual training and exercise more exact strain on the individual. That way, we hope to guide the lads back to full team training more quickly." Andreas Schumacher, who was once a VfB youth team players and also worked as a youth team coach at VfB from 2013 to 2016, will have a very watchful eye on the demands upon the Cannstatt Boys, along with his trainer colleagues, over the next few weeks.