FSU

some players are now finding themselves without access after gyms and high schools have closed in some communities.

“Some guys had a great gym to train in and got a call Sunday night that it was shutting down,” Storms said. “So now that guy’s plans changed.”

Those who had no access to workout equipment have faced a tougher challenge.

“That’s why communication is so key,” Storms said. “We’re trying to keep [up with] those guys as their status changes, making sure they have the right tools for them to get the work done.”

So Storms and his staff took to social

media, uploading videos to help demonstrate old-school fitness techniques. Some of those involve loading books or rocks into a backpack for pushups or grabbing gallon water jugs or cinder blocks as weights.

The players have followed suit, sharing their own progress over Twitter with their coaches and teammates.

“I’ve got some ideas just seeing what our guys have done on their own,” Storms said. He also communicates with other strength coaches in the business to see what they’re doing with their programs.

“There’s a lot of collaboration with everyone trying to figure out the best way to serve our kids,” he said.

Storms adds that all of these workouts with the players are voluntary. Nothing can be mandated by the school after the ACC

canceled all athletic competitions and practices through the end of this academic year.

Norvell said keeping players in shape is essential for the success of the program.

“Coach Storms has a great staff and he’s done a wonderful job,” Norvell said. “We were able to give every guy an individual workout plan before they left for spring break. … Obviously, it’s something we take a great deal of pride as a program and I think it’s gone really well.”

Storms got a chance to work with FSU players from January through March, setting the tone for what he expected from them.

“We’re hoping what we did in the offseason … with these guys, we laid a good foundation of the importance of training and those guys have seen the progress that they’ve made already,” Storms said. “And for a lot of those guys that’s motivation to stay working and not let that slip away.

“This whole deal puts a lot of ownership and a lot of responsibility on their hands to be pros and take care of themselves on their own at this time.”

Storms and his staff are careful not to overload the players, catching up with them a few times each week by phone or FaceTime.

“At the end of the day, my No. 1 job, whether they’re here or they’re at home, is to make sure those guys have the best chance possible to maximize their abilities and stay prepared for this upcoming season,” Storms said.