Off-season training?

[kman58]

Hey guys, I just became the captain of my team, and as all new captains want, I really want my team to get a spot on the Bhangra map this season. Of the million things any team needs to work on, I think with mine it's maintaining and developing technique when school is off.


To all the more experienced members and teams out there (especially collegiate ones) how do you (as captains or team members) get your teams to stay in shape when school is off (Winter Break, Spring Break, Summer, etc)? We tried weekly video submissions of each of us doing the routine during Winter Break and it seemed to work (for those who actually sent in videos). What else do you guys do to make sure your stamina is on point, and more than that, how do you ENFORCE it on your teams to make sure they're doing it???


I'd love any help thank you!!!

 

[J Wong]

You need to get your team to want to stay in shape. In my experience, dedicated teams have managed themselves. So the first thing I would suggest is to sit your team down and talk to them about what both you and they want for the team. When you are all on the same page (e.g. placing at competitions) dancers should want to personally get better. If your team doesn't really care about placing and would want to only do local shows/gigs then you may not get as much out of them.

 

[yraparla]

We've had a couple great threads on this (plenty of doctors/PT around with this many brown people)

Couple highlights (some generic, some bhangra-focused including suggestions for girls which is often overlooked)
http://bhangrateamsforum.com/discuss/help-and-how-to/increase-staminastrength/
http://bhangrateamsforum.com/discuss/main-bhangra-discussion/endurance-stamina-exercises/
http://bhangrateamsforum.com/discuss/main-bhangra-discussion/bhangra-shape/

 

[sammyk]

Something I found helpful and fun was actually learning the sets of some of my other favorite teams. Doing your own routine over and over again can get boring sometimes and feel like homework, but it can be exciting to take a crack at a set that you loved from a recent competition. Increases knowledge and understanding of steps, while calling on different muscles.


As for enforcement, that's a tough subject, I think J Wong hit it on the nose about getting everyone on the same page. I know it is fun to show our other teammates choreo from other sets, so the inspiration is there.


Best of luck to you!!

 

[mrchicity]

Lots of chipotle. Works for shahrukh everytime.

 

[Gsimz]

Lots of chipotle. Works for shahrukh everytime.

 

[kman58]

Something I found helpful and fun was actually learning the sets of some of my other favorite teams. Doing your own routine over and over again can get boring sometimes and feel like homework, but it can be exciting to take a crack at a set that you loved from a recent competition. Increases knowledge and understanding of steps, while calling on different muscles.


As for enforcement, that's a tough subject, I think J Wong hit it on the nose about getting everyone on the same page. I know it is fun to show our other teammates choreo from other sets, so the inspiration is there.


Best of luck to you!!

Thanks for that bit about learning other choreo I think that might be fun and interesting to everyone. Thanks everyone for their replies and help I'm excited about the coming semester, look out for Temple U Bhangra in the coming months!!!

 

[Arjun Barua]

I tell my team to do at least 50 hindu squats a day to maintain a basic level of bhangra fitness (whether they listen is another matter lol). If this is too hard to do in one set, break it up into 2-3 sets initially. If you practice daily, they'll become easier, so increase the target number of reps gradually. I'd say a good indicator of optimal bhangra health is to be able to perform 1 set of 200 reps. Most importantly, be sure to use proper form to avoid injury!


Also, you can look thru some of these old threads (click here), but take everyone's advice with a grain of salt.


Good luck!

 

[mafzal]

^ Another move one can do to build up leg muscles is like the bhangra version of the hindu squat... it has a few different names but the center people are doing it at 5:55 in this video: Cornell Bhangra @ Worlds Best Bhangra Crew 2014

Play a jhummar or slow dhamaal song and keeping doing it as much as you can. Take a break, shake off your legs, and do some more. If your thighs and calves are strong then you'll be in good shape. I usually just do this and a bajillion betkaan for a couple mins every day when I need to get in shape...

YOu guys can have a contest or make bets, too, make it fun