USUALLY people are encouraged to put down their phones and steer clear of social media.
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But, in these unusual times of self-isolation, sporting clubs are turning to technology to stay connected.
Training sessions are on hiatus and season start dates up in the air as the coronavirus pandemic strips society of what it takes for granted.
South-west Victoria is not immune. Coaches and players are thinking outside the box.
Training tips are being delivered via social media apps - Slack, Instagram, Facebook Messenger and Snapchat - and video tutorials have replaced twice weekly team training runs.
The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and when federal and state government recommendations will be lifted is making it hard to plan.
But coaches and players are getting innovative and embracing the chance to work on their own individual skill sets.
Cobden netball coach Sophie Hinkley said communication was vital during the enforced social distancing period.
The first-year Bombers mentor said she had added to the club's already strong social media presence.
"We have a group chat and social media, like our Snapchat groups, that everyone keeps in touch with but I also made an Instagram account so I could post workouts so it's in one spot," she said.
"I can put videos and photos of things in there. Down the track I'll hopefully be able to put up some drills people can do in partners at the courts or do individually.
"It also keeps me accountable because obviously I have to do stuff to get into some training (after having a baby).
"The videos are to show people what you want them to do. It's about the work-rate because you want to see the intensity you want it to be done at."
Hinkley said communication to ensure no one felt alone during the restrictions was also important.
"We've got the Slack app. The footballers have been using that, it was something (senior coach) Adam (Courtney) had from his time at Colac I think," she said.
"We have that with the whole senior playing group. We've been using it for people to post their apologies and post any extra fitness training they were doing.
"Lots of people are posting photos of themselves doing things at home, just to keep ourselves accountable and to check in with each other which is nice."
Hinkley, like many, is unsure when the Hampden Football Netball League season will get under way.
Its start date has been pushed back from April 4 to June at the earliest.
"The situation is a bit bigger than us so we have to going off the advice we're given," she said.
"It sounds like we won't be able to train until the end of May and to be honest I am happy for us to pick up and go at the start of the season.
"We had a practice match on the 21st (of March) against Drysdale and I was really impressed with everybody's skills and fitness."
Terang Mortlake netball coach Lisa Arundell is on the same wave length as Hinkley, believing her team will be ready to play off a short training block.
"Our message to the players is 'stay in touch, stay fit' because if we do get the go ahead I am assuming there won't be much time in between," she said.
"We'll have to run with that so we have to be semi-prepared for that situation or as prepared as we can be given the circumstances."
Arundell said the Bloods had also turned to online tutorials to keep their players invested during the hiatus.
"There is a lot of online netball sessions that are being posted which is fantastic," she said.
"NetFit have put out some free sessions and there's also some other netball websites the club subscribes to that have released netball workouts that can be done at home.
"I am lucky with the girls in my open team, they are all gym junkies and even though they are not going to the gym, rest assured I know they are keeping their fitness up because it's part of their regime and they thrive on that.
"It's hard to do ball work, depending on how many people are available. If they've got a partner or if they live in a share house situation, then there would be things they could do and I'd encourage that."
Arundell believes it is crucial people speak up and be heard during the coronavirus pandemic which has turned the world on its head, bringing big sporting bodies, such as the AFL and NBA, to a standstill and pushed people out of jobs.
"I think it is probably important for everybody to be a strong communicator in a time like this to be honest. It doesn't matter what role you play within your community or within your job," she said.
"I have been in constant talks with the president and netball co-ordinators because I think it's important we're all on the same page and we are all delivering the same message."
Warrnambool Wolves soccer player Amanda Gaffey said "keeping the community together is the bigger thing" during this time.
"We are still trying to keep in touch. I sent some messages last night 'who exercised last week?', just to keep tabs on everyone and make sure no one feels too isolated," she said.
"It is like nothing anyone has been through before, it's just making sure they remember it's a community first and a soccer club second.
"We're there for the camaraderie and fun and we get to play soccer at the same time which is great."
Gaffey, a chiropractor by trade, said it was in people's best interests to remain active during self-isolation.
"Your fitness is such a big part of health as well and even though people are stuck inside it's important they're still doing something," she said.
"You might have one person to pass with but you can pass to a brick wall if you need to or just dribble.
"Just having the ball around your feet never hurts. You probably never find the time to do that much one-on-one time because you're that busy with training so it's a silver lining for some players to have that one-on-one time."
Warrnambool basketballer James Mitchell is one athlete trying to prepare as best he can for the Big V season.
Mitchell, who battled a knee injury last year, is unsure when the season will get under way after a decision to postpone came a day before the Seahawks' first game earlier this month.
"I've been sussing out where the best outdoor courts are to go because obviously we can't use any of the indoor ones at the moment," he said.
"It's not quite the same but it's certainly better than not practicing at all.
"I went around home yesterday and found a few outdoor basketballs I can use.
"We need to get some practice in because we don't know when we're going to be up and running and you don't want to be behind the eight-ball."
Mitchell will work on his strength to help complement his ball skills.
"I am building a gym at the moment, out in the shed putting some stuff together, trying to keep myself busy," he said.
"I've accumulated a fair few weights and gym programs over the time which I have been pretty lucky to have."
Mitchell conceded the delay was frustrating but he had come to terms with the situation.
"We were ready for our first game and the pin got pulled. It was pretty disappointing but it is big picture stuff," he said.
"We have to do the right thing for the short-term so we can be all right for the long-term.
"I had a day where I sat and sulked around and was miserable about not playing but there is a lot more going on."
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