Damian Truslove admits he can't sit still.
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If he's not doing something physically, his mind is constantly ticking over.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of the NAB League season back in March, Truslove, like many in society, was left at a loose end.
The Bendigo Pioneers coach didn't have matches to prepare for and review or training sessions to implement.
While his number one priority remained the physical and emotional well-being of his players and staff members, he also wanted to make himself better.
With no games or training, how does a coach improve?
Truslove spent lockdown picking the brains of coaches around the world.
In a bid to broaden his coaching skills, Truslove spoke with soccer and hockey coaches in Europe and other AFL coaches around the country.
"I was really conscious of staying busy everyday,'' Truslove said.
"I did some research on decision making and sports psychology and touched base with coaches all over the world.
"I have a strong interest in soccer and I think some of their training and skill fundamentals are a bit more advanced in some areas compared to AFL.
"Decision making is such a huge part of our game and I'm going to try a few different things around that when we get back to training which I hope will help our boys."
Truslove and the Pioneers were this week given the green light to return to training on Tuesday, August 4.
Their first NAB League game for 2020 will be at the QEO on Sunday, August 23 against the Murray Bushrangers.
"It's been a rollercoaster of emotions the past couple of months,'' Truslove admitted.
"My focus was to make sure the players and the staff stayed positive with one eye on the job.
"It's exciting (that we're returning), but there's also still a part of me that's aware that we could get shut down at any time.
"Hopefully, we can get through."
Truslove said the Pioneers coaching staff had worked hard during the lockdown to ensure the players stayed in a positive frame of mind.
"We have duty of care groups where each coach has about seven players to touch base with regularly,'' he said.
"I made sure I touched base with all the players either through text messages or through zoom right the way through to ensure we supported them psychologically and to make sure they were keeping fit in case we got back at some point.
"A lot of the boys are in Year 12, so there's pressure there, all of their school footy got called off as well and NAB League was up in the air, so it's been a challenging time for them.
"Hopefully, they get six or eight games of footy into them this year."
The Pioneers only have a short time to get the players ready for round one and Trsulove was wary of some players overdoing it over the next month.
The team will train three times a week for the first fortnight before scaling back to twice a week in the lead-up to round one.
"I'd be confident that at least 90 per cent of the group are in really good shape,'' Truslove said.
"We've kept in close contact and they've had training programs to do right through.
"We've had a few tests to do where they had to send through results and those results were quite good.
"Now we have club footy back, which is fantastic. They've been able to train with their clubs, which is great for their skills and contested work.
"I'm big on building relationships with the clubs, so even when we go back we want the players to be training with their clubs one night a week if they're not playing with us.
"Those boys will continue to play with their clubs as well."
With AFL scouts to firmly keep an eye on club under-18 footy and NAB League games, Truslove said there was a chance some players might fall into the trap of trying too hard to impress.
"Our focus is to make sure they enjoy their footy,enjoy their time with their mates and the other stuff will look after itself,'' he said.
"We'll keep things pretty simple, let the kids get out there and play... and play with some flair, hopefully."
The Pioneers under-18 girls program will also resume training from August 4. The re-start of the NAB League girls season is set for the weekend of September 3-4. The girls will play thre more matches.
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