FlaBasquete debuts in the Liga das Américas in peak physical shape
Fitness coach Diego Falcão says the team is carrying out 'pre-season within the season'
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
In another intense season for the multiple-champion Flamengo basketball team, the athletes' physical preparation becomes even more crucial to the team's performance. One of those responsible for this work at Flamengo is Diego Falcão, physical trainer for the Brazilian National Team and Pride of the Nation. At the beginning of the 2014/2015 season, the team had two major commitments that shortened the preseason: competing in—and winning—the Club World Cup and participating in the NBA preseason for the first time. Aware of the grueling marathon of games, Falcão says the athletes' development is proceeding as planned.
"We decided at the end of last year that we could do a preseason during the season, during the first NBB games. With that, we expected the athletes to be in top physical shape from now on, close to the first phase of the Liga das Américas," he assured.
Check the interview in full
Official Site: Last season was already a major physical test for the players, who endured an incredible marathon of matches. This year, the athletes are having a different preseason, simultaneously with the competitions. How is the work progressing?
Diego Falcao: This year's planning was completely opposite to last year's; our main tournament was at the beginning of the season. For the World Cup, where we were successful, we took advantage of the opportunity of the athletes who were at the Intercontinental and the athletes who were here, training very hard, to get them into the best rhythm we could for the competition. Then came the NBA, with completely different logistics. Lots of travel, different games, a different daily routine, so we didn't have the opportunity to do a preseason. When we choose a plan, we have to know what we want. We decided at the end of last year that we could do a preseason during the season, during the first NBB games. With that, we expected the athletes to be in peak physical shape from now on, close to the first phase of the Liga das Américas. Now we're starting to 'let the athletes go', as we say in training parlance, which is to take a little of the load off so they feel lighter. So far, everything is going according to plan.
Official Site: What is the team's physical preparation routine like?
Diego Falcao: Basically, basketball players do both strength and court training. Sometimes, they do strength training in the gym, with weights, and on the court, and in the afternoons, they do only on the court, focusing on technique and tactics. Weight training is harder, and on the court, the work is more exhausting.
Official Site: Working together with Neto has been very successful. How did this partnership begin?
Diego Falcao: Neto is already my brother. I was working at a club (Ulbra) in 2007, and he came to work with me. Since then, we've worked together almost every year. We have, besides a very close friendship, a huge trust in each other's work. We think very much alike when it comes to training; our demands are always very similar. Between slaps and kisses, we always achieve our best (laughs).
Official Site: Another important professional for your work here at the club is Rafael Bernardelli, also a fitness coach. Why is this duo so successful?
Diego Falcao: When I arrived here, Rafael was already at the club. They asked me if I could work with another fitness coach, and I didn't see any problem. I think the more people working with us, the better. With Rafael, it was no different—quite the opposite. He thinks a lot like me; he's "on 220," like me, a little crazier (laughs), but he's already become my brother too. He helps me a lot, both in the youth team and with the senior team; he interacts very well with the athletes. He's only added value, and this work we do isn't just mine; it's Rafael's, Rodrigo (Carlos da Silva, assistant coach), Neto's, and Ricardo (Machado, doctor). This interdisciplinary work at Flamengo is what sets us apart.
"We decided at the end of last year that we could do a preseason during the season, during the first NBB games. With that, we expected the athletes to be in top physical shape from now on, close to the first phase of the Liga das Américas," he assured.
Check the interview in full
Official Site: Last season was already a major physical test for the players, who endured an incredible marathon of matches. This year, the athletes are having a different preseason, simultaneously with the competitions. How is the work progressing?
Diego Falcao: This year's planning was completely opposite to last year's; our main tournament was at the beginning of the season. For the World Cup, where we were successful, we took advantage of the opportunity of the athletes who were at the Intercontinental and the athletes who were here, training very hard, to get them into the best rhythm we could for the competition. Then came the NBA, with completely different logistics. Lots of travel, different games, a different daily routine, so we didn't have the opportunity to do a preseason. When we choose a plan, we have to know what we want. We decided at the end of last year that we could do a preseason during the season, during the first NBB games. With that, we expected the athletes to be in peak physical shape from now on, close to the first phase of the Liga das Américas. Now we're starting to 'let the athletes go', as we say in training parlance, which is to take a little of the load off so they feel lighter. So far, everything is going according to plan.
Official Site: What is the team's physical preparation routine like?
Diego Falcao: Basically, basketball players do both strength and court training. Sometimes, they do strength training in the gym, with weights, and on the court, and in the afternoons, they do only on the court, focusing on technique and tactics. Weight training is harder, and on the court, the work is more exhausting.
Official Site: Working together with Neto has been very successful. How did this partnership begin?
Diego Falcao: Neto is already my brother. I was working at a club (Ulbra) in 2007, and he came to work with me. Since then, we've worked together almost every year. We have, besides a very close friendship, a huge trust in each other's work. We think very much alike when it comes to training; our demands are always very similar. Between slaps and kisses, we always achieve our best (laughs).
Official Site: Another important professional for your work here at the club is Rafael Bernardelli, also a fitness coach. Why is this duo so successful?
Diego Falcao: When I arrived here, Rafael was already at the club. They asked me if I could work with another fitness coach, and I didn't see any problem. I think the more people working with us, the better. With Rafael, it was no different—quite the opposite. He thinks a lot like me; he's "on 220," like me, a little crazier (laughs), but he's already become my brother too. He helps me a lot, both in the youth team and with the senior team; he interacts very well with the athletes. He's only added value, and this work we do isn't just mine; it's Rafael's, Rodrigo (Carlos da Silva, assistant coach), Neto's, and Ricardo (Machado, doctor). This interdisciplinary work at Flamengo is what sets us apart.