Laura Langman: Third degree for the karate kids

Laura Langman. Photo / Getty Images

Magic captain Laura Langman reveals the gruelling efforts that go into a pre-season training campaign

Pre-season

Well before the new year, like most franchises, Magic put into action our 2011 ANZ campaign. As players we traded our Jandals for running shoes, beach towels for sweat towels, ice creams for protein shakes, and probably the most gruelling of all was suntanning for fitness testing; however, Magic 2011 were ready for business.

The philosophy of "business-in-business-out" was dominant once again in our pre-season training. When assembled as a team we were there to do the hard yards, exert pressure on one another exposing each other's work-ons and build on the strengths that would become the foundation of team Magic for 2011.

"Punching through", learned from the 2010 season, emerged as one of the key themes for Magic 2011. To learn the physical and literal meaning of the term "punching through" we were introduced to karate. We anticipated it would be the type of karate featured in the movie Karate Kid, but we had a rude awakening!

On a day that was 30C plus in Rotorua, we were summoned into a large warehouse-like arena that was enclosed on three sides with steel bars on the windows and a corrugated iron door on the remaining side. None of the windows were opened at any point during the session, creating a scorching environment.

We spent the next two hours "punching through". From the first activity a calf-burning sensation was common throughout the team; clearly our techniques weren't the best. However, the karate legend had to work with what he had, and so we pushed on. Divided into groups of three, co-ordination, power and pad work followed. Switch, switch, switch, switch, bob 'n' weave, jab, jab, rib, rib, hook, hook, down for five press-ups, then on your feet back to the pad for another set. If the pad was left vacant for too long you were prodded with a bamboo stick!

Despite the pale faces caused by the lack of oxygen, gagging, raw blisters, head bobs for press-ups and drooping arms, the set continued. Although management kindly inquired about a drinks break on our behalf, we were informed not to expect sympathy and one would be granted when it was earned. Needless, the drinks were a long time coming.

The team

Team Magic 2011 welcomed several new faces to our family. The mix of old and new has created a new energised dynamic for the 2011 season; one that is extremely competitive but is never short of laughs.

The emerging talent of Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick and Julianna Naoupu and the experience of Jamilah Gupwell have certainly added to Magic's bag of tricks. The trio, hopefully, are some of the players to watch this season.

Opting to remain in-house for our pre-season build up we are extremely excited to tie the shoes for Magic's first official match of the 2011 season.

The season ahead

With the change in format and the challenge of double-header rounds, once again the intensity and competitiveness of the ANZ Championship has increased. The new format will certainly test the depth of teams and their ability to consistently perform week in and week out: a key challenge we have identified.

Ultimately, the goal is to make the grand final and cross the line to lift the ANZ trophy. However, we are under no illusions about the quality of teams that make up the league for 2011. Consistent, quality, clinical netball will be required if we are to be competitive right to the finale. For Magic, we have high expectations of ourselves and will take the season wave by wave with hopefully some celebration points along the way.