Andy on a leash?!

08 June, 2008 | 13:06

OK, so what is contrast training I hear you ask?

That was my reaction today having turned up to see Andy on a leash for the first time since he was a toddler (we hope).

According to the internet, contrast training is:

"Alternation of training using heavy work loads with that using light work loads. At least for athletes who are already strong, the power gained from strength-training programmes combining heavy and light resistance may be greater than with conventional programmes using either light or heavy resistance."

Today, that resistance was provided by a bungy leash attached to Andy's waist...

Jez Green, who looks after Andy's strength work alongside Matt Little simplifies it nicely. He describes it as a way of kidding the body into thinking it's stronger than it is; by working against resistance, your body then thinks it's stronger when you take that resistance away...

Here's Jez keeping a tight reign...

So how does it work in practice?

Typically, Andy will go through a series of set motions. For example: first step, then movement to an imaginary ball, the shot, and then the recovery step.

All that movement is performed with the bungy leash, similar to this...

Having done that a few times, the leash comes off and he'll perform the same series of movements once again. From his perspective, he'll feel sharper through the sequence, and stronger too...

Contrast training isn't unique to tennis: a large number of top atheletes will incorporate it into their strength work.

Variations on the bungy theme are weight vests, and parachute drags; baseball players will even warm-up with a heavy bat before they go out to swing properly.

Anyway, that took about half an hour, and then Andy and Dani hit together for a while.

If you've read our interview with Dani, you'll know that he's beginning to feel at home on the surface...

Mind you, against Andy you'll sometimes find yourself chasing down some impossible looking angles...

They hit for an hour or so in the heat before heading indoors for a quick bite of food, and then their transport to Queen's.

Andy's hitting at the moment, and I'll get him to update you on Twitter about that later...