Dynamo to begin individual training May 6

HOUSTON – Nothing about the current state of affairs in the world is normal. The COVID-19 pandemic has put sports — and most of life — at a standstill. But on Friday, a glimmer of light presented itself for Major League Soccer.

The league announced that starting Wednesday, May 6, players are allowed to conduct individual voluntary workouts on outdoor team training fields. The training moratorium is still in effect and while there’s no timetable for the return of MLS — only two games were played before the league suspended play — this is a start.

“Obviously, I am very excited to be able to provide the players with a controlled and safe environment that gets us one step closer to getting back to playing,” Houston Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos told reporters on a Zoom conference call after the league announced Friday.

Players who opt to train at their team’s facilities must still abide by health and safety protocols. Players will see each other but at a distance. Ramos and the rest of the Dynamo coaching staff have a plan for this.

“What we have done is divided the field into four parts. Each player can only train in a quarter of the field. He cannot touch any ball that a teammate touches. So you cannot pass, you cannot receive passes. All the types of sports equipment you use, cannot be touched by someone else,” Ramos said.

“Practically the player is isolated in a zone and the training that we can do will be based more on physical work than technical work because the technical work is going to be very little.”

Dynamo virtual training, communication

While the Dynamo players and coaches haven’t seen each other in person, that didn’t stop them from communicating with each other.

Ramos has been in contact with his squad throughout this time — using Microsoft Teams — and used the period to get the know his players on a more personal level. And in the process bring the team closer together as one.

“We have gotten to know a lot about the players, their stories, where they come from, what they do, how they feel, and how they see the game,” Ramos said. “We have been able to put a lot more time into the personal aspect of the players that we have.

But it hasn’t been all getting-to-know-you meetings for the Dynamo. The team has also given the players a training regimen to maintain their physical sharpness.

The players are on the same schedule. The coaches send the exercises beforehand and at 10 o’clock, the players that are able, begin the workout until 11:30 am. The players then input their workout into an app.

The day finishes with an afternoon call with a round of players where they talk about tactics and other topics.

Coaching experience and education

While the former U.S. Men’s National Team player has international coaching experience, he’s in his first year coaching in a league. How has Ramos improved during this period?

“I have gotten really good at Microsoft Teams and Zoom, so that part of my game is a lot better now. Joking aside though, I have done a lot,” Ramos said.

The first-time MLS coach used this opportunity to speak with coached around MLS that he had yet to meet, as well as communicate with former teammates, that are now coaching oversees.

“Coaching is about education and is about getting better every day because what you knew last year does not work this year and you constantly have to be changing things,” Ramos said. “So I have taken advantage of the time and I know that the rest of my staff has as well.”

Ramos is no doubt eager to get back to coaching, and starting on May 6, he’ll get to do that — albeit on a smaller scale.