The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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Football 2013 the "X-need" work, which includes injuryman and junior tackle T.Y. McGill, the other throughout our program, then we are preventative and recuperation programs. D-linemen took it upon themselves to start short-sighting a couple of kids at this end Veltkamp is a big believer in letting his a workout 45 minutes before the other deof the roster," he said. staff have significant responsibilities. fensive players trickled in. Instead, Veltkamp, who joked that if he Warm-ups last about 10 minutes. Then By the time Veltkamp had gotten back could go back to college he would defiLucas turns up the music, and the workout to the weight room, the defensive players nitely be a psychology major, puts what he begins in earnest. On this Friday, players were already into their lifting routines, and calls a "huge emphasis" on mental issues, break into groups of three to do a series of with a little extra bounce in their step. starting with competing. shoulder and leg exercises. "They slept more hours," Veltkamp "Whether it's running or lifting, we put The strength staff is on the floor, offernoted while smiling. them against each other. We are trying to ing encouragement. The pace is brisk, and When the defensive players, special create a competitive environment," he said. players are pushing themselves. Redshirt teamers included, finished the same routine Accountability is another principle that junior fullback Logan Winkles, in particuthat the offensive guys had labored through could be seen and heard. lar, draws an enthusiastic crowd while he before them, Veltkamp and his staff shifted "You have to let the guy know, 'Hey, we maxes out on a squat. focus. First up was cleaning up the weight need you to do better than that because we Once done, the offense walks out to the room. June is football camp season, an need you,'" Veltkamp pointed out. "That new field turf practice surface, which Veltimportant time in recruiting. breaks down a lot of barriers. You don't kamp is using this morning since heavy Unofficial visitors and campers will be want to let people down in that way. rains have saturated the "Teams are not selfish. grass fields. This particuTeams are family, and the lar week was the first time selfish don't really fit in players had done running that philosophy." exercises four times in five Then there is body landays, and Friday may have guage. Anyone that works been the most challenging. out can attest that not every Skill players were retrip to the gym brings out quired to run from sideline your best. There are days to sideline in under seven where the grind is difficult. seconds 18 times, with a Veltkamp knows that, but two-minute "halftime" midhe does not want the players way through the set. A couto show those feelings. Durple of times Veltkamp, in ing the runs on the field that the spirit of the new no-hudFriday, Veltkamp more than dle offense, will have them once reminded them to keep line up and back in stance their heads up at all times. for a cross field sprint with "We try to teach them no break in between. The Wolfpack players are spending time in the weight room this summer to become about sending a message This routine will be re- both physically and mentally stronger. with their body," Veltkamp photo courtesy nc state media relations said. "Don't send them a peated again at the end of trickling in throughout the day, starting the summer. On this Friday, the hard week message that you are not intending to send around noon. The strength coaches will of running begins to show at the end of the because it might just energize your opponent. have about 20 minutes to give prospects a sprints. "You can't walk out with slumped over quick rundown of their program and show On the other end of the field, linemen shoulders. That's not going to put fear in them the weight room. During official viswere alternately pushing heavy sleds across anyone." its, they will likely spend an hour with the the field and sprinting through a sand pit. By 9:01 the defensive players were done. recruits. The conditioning ended with the entire Many of them head to breakfast at the MurAt some point in the afternoon, the crew team taking part in the "Pack shuttle." Playphy Center. that met before sunrise in Veltkamp's office ers ran 15 yards, touched the line, ran back "The sooner you can get fuel or food will assemble again to assess what they to the starting point, touched again and back into the athlete after a workout, the saw that morning. The emphasis is on closthen finished with one more 15-yard sprint. better they are going to be for the next ing the gap between those leading the way Fifth-year senior receiver Rashard Smith workout," Kirby stated. and those trailing behind. shines during the Pack shuttles. Others head off to a class, and some of "There's going to be a time when someVeltkamp concluded the workout with the tight ends and fullbacks are still hangone is going to get called upon when he a few words of encouragement and a reing around to do drills among themselves. wasn't in that upper tier. Is he going to be minder about the importance of making The next workout is another early-mornable to go in and get the job done?" Veltgood decisions over the upcoming weeking grind. Former NCSU head basketball kamp asked. end. coach Jim Valvano once said, "It took me a The conditioning staff hustled back to long time to understand the relationship beInstalling A New Program the Murphy Center. The defense was up. tween hard work and success is not direct. Veltkamp does not pigeonhole his proThe relationship was: if you don't work Defense Gets To Work gram. He does not believe that every playhard, you can't be successful." The defensive linemen had actually arer's needs are attended to with a singular The laborious workouts in the wee rived early in the weight room. Under the focus. hours of the summer are giving NC State a leadership of redshirt junior end Art Nor"If we emphasize one thing over the chance to win games in the fall. ■ 44 ■ the wolfpacker 42-44.Strength & Conditioning.indd 44 7/1/13 2:15 PM