The recent welcome rain has seen Essendon implement its indoor training schedule which includes some special high-tech training methods.
Sports scientist, Jason Berry, said the flashing gate technology - which involves a player sprinting to whichever light is flashing while avoiding his team-mate - has been used at the club for the past 2-3 years and is perfect for a wet day.
""We use this technology in general testing and also on wet days and it involves lights on poles going on and off at random and we place the players into pairs to work on three components of their game,"" he said.
""First, it tests their agility, being able to move in a tight space quickly and cut left and right and backwards and forwards.
""Secondly, it tests their ability to be able to hit the target, hit the body with skill.
""Finally, it helps them work on their awareness because they have to execute their skills, be aware of what's around them, avoid the other player and pick up which light is flashing and get there.""
Jason Berry said the better AFL players can ""dual task"" which simply means they execute their skill and pick the best option.
""The bulk of the indoor session was on fitness but there was also a lot of ball work as well to continue the use of footballs and to focus on skills and decision making,"" he said.
