While these continue to be uncertain times, the Rapids have found a bit of rhythm and strategy for the team amidst the season suspension and government mandated quarantine.
The big focus has been on sharpening the team’s mental strength.
“While we can’t make physical gains at the moment, it would be great to see if we can really make some tactical gains here,” head coach Robin Fraser said on Altitude TV’s daily program Sports Social. “Although we’re limited in what we can do, we can certainly continue to develop our mind and unify our thoughts and really try to be as cohesive as possible when we do get the chance to play again.”
Fraser joined the Rapids organization as head coach in August of 2019. Since then, his focus has been set on getting his ideas across to players who can then execute the strategy. The understanding of his process is actually something that, right now, can still continue to progress.
“What ultimately our goal is, is to come out of this situation or scenario where we’re all looking at scenarios a little bit more similarly. And, if we do that, then our solutions for these scenarios are slightly more similar.”
While the team is not physically connected, the organization has still found other ways to make communication possible - and productive.
“We’ve started things where we have video interaction with the players, where they might get video scenarios and a couple questions asked and then basically homework. And then the next day we have zoom meetings in small groups, going through different scenarios and really trying to keep our ideas fresh.”
While the players are dealing with the struggle to stay game-ready, this isn't a problem that they alone face. The coaches are also trying to stay fit, just in a different way. These video exercises have proven beneficial for the staff as well.
“We started these conversations about the videos and scenarios, and you know, how can we handle this, how could we do this better, why is this good, then it really sparks a conversation between the coaches. So, as we prepare the videos, it really helps us stay fresh and unified in our thoughts, which is obviously the first part of the team being able to do that.”
Going forward, Fraser hopes that this process will get a bit easier. When the team reunites, they will have the opportunity, along with the other MLS clubs, to train for a few weeks to get back into shape prior to the start of the season. So, while fitness is still important, staying ready is about much more than that.
“I think for us, the challenges are really occurring now, and it’s about trying to retain as much as we’ve picked up in the last couple of months and really in the last eight months.”
Another part of the team staying mentally sharp is the group staying connected and maintaining chemistry. They continue to have regular check-ins, workouts and yoga sessions through video calls. Fraser also said that texting and regular communication comes naturally for the group. In those conversations, the biggest thing that the players are finding is that they all seem to be facing the same issue: boredom.
The organization as a whole is focused on making sure everyone is staying mentally healthy and is providing avenues in support.
“We’ve also instituted a program where they have the opportunity to meet with someone and talk about things, and, basically, it’s an outlet for them to express some of there interests. It could be things that they’re struggling with, it could be things that they want to expand their thoughts on, things that they want to explore. So we’re trying to cover as many of our bases as possible.”
While Fraser, the team and the fans alike can all agree that they’d like this all to be over soon, Fraser hasn't lost sight of the bigger picture.
“This is the first time in 30 years that I’ve not been playing soccer or been involved with soccer in March. And now April. That’s been extremely odd. I think part of it is balancing this lacking what you yearn for professionally and also what’s been going on in the world. I think there’s equal parts missing the team, missing the day to day, missing the interaction of the coaches and players, I think there’s a really sense of that. But the overwhelming feeling is where the world is, where its going, what will normalcy look like – “normalcy” – what will that look like when this is all done. And then obviously how does the professional part fit in with it.”
