JETS midfielder Steve Ugarkovic had almost forgotten how much he enjoys kicking a soccer ball against a wall.
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Ugarkovic has used the A-League hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic to get back to basics.
The hours he used to spend analysing video and breaking down his performances have been taken up with the ball at his feet or "having a kick with the old man" in the family backyard.
It has been nearly a month since the Jets last trained as a group. They have been given individual programs and are waiting for an update from Football Federation Australia on April 22 as to when or if the competition will resume.
Ugarkovic has spent the past three weeks back at his family home in the Hills District in Sydney.
"In terms of training, I have been doing more than I have been given," Ugarkovic said. "I want to stay focused and keep the body right.
"From the watching side, I have taken a step back to enjoy myself and simplified things. Kicking the ball against the wall and things like that. A bit like when I was a kid.
"There are a few soccer nets down at the local park. There is plenty of space to do tempo running, mainly fitness with the ball. It is easy to train, but you miss the team environment. You get a bit drained doing stuff by yourself all the time."
Ugarkovic was arguably in career-best form when the season was interrupted.
He has revelled under the extra responsibility playing as a deep-lying or box-to-box midfielder in Carl Robinson's possession-based game.
"I have enjoyed every minute of it," Ugarkovic said of Robinson's opening six games at the helm. "You can see by the results and everything on the field that it has started to click. He has come in with his game plan and style and all the boys have taken it on board.
"He played a similar position to me, maybe a bit more defensive. He speaks to me about what I can do to get on the ball and other little things because he has been in those positions before. He has given me confidence and I feel like I have taken a step forward under Carl."
What's more Ugarkovic is scoring goals. After an almost two-year drought, the industrious playmaker has netted four goals in 22 games this campaign. Three of those - two stunning strikes from the edge of the box and a running header from the same distance - are contenders for goal of the year.
"I have scored a few good ones," he laughed. "The header stands out for me. That was the most pleasing goal because it was what we are all about as a team. Quick transition, a few passes, numbers in the box and a desire to score."
The improved output has been a result of hard work.
"Last season, through the off season and this year as well I have been putting in extra training sessions," he said. "Whether it was with Clacka (former assistant coach Clayton Zane) when he was here, Craig Deans or Daniel McBreen, Li [Qiang] ... they have helped me move forward. They picked out things I needed to work on and I feel that I have. They have been a major factor in that."
Previous coach Ernie Merrick often stated that a lack of goals was all that was holding back Ugarkovic from a return to Europe. He spent four years in Croatia from age 17.
Now 25 and with a year to run on his contract at the Jets, he hopes to earn another shot in Europe.
"I feel I have put my best foot forward this season to try and reach for that opportunity," he said. "It is in my mind that I would like to go back to Europe and give it a crack - if it's the right opportunity. The only way for that to become a reality is to consistently play well. That's my goal when the league comes back. You never know what can happen."