For some reason at the beginning of the season coaches feel an obligation to impose a fitness test on their players. In some cases the fitness test is used to determine who will make the team and who will be cut from the team. This issue came up yesterday when I was having lunch with several of my colleagues who were relating how a local high school softball coach had the girls do a mile run test in August at the start of school and then again two weeks ago to start the season. The girls were given a time they had better or they were cut from the team. Apparently the logic was that that by setting this standard the girls would be motivated to do something to work on their “fitness” in the off–season.
With everything we know about training and conditioning I amazed that this stuff still goes on. The simple question is: What are you measuring fitness for? There are so many implications and messages being sent by imposing this type of fitness tests. Let’s start with simple a simple question? What are demands of softball? The type of endurance demanded by the mile run is completely contrary to the speed, explosiveness and skill demanded by the game of softball. No player on a softball team will run a total of one mile (including running on and off the field) in the course of a season.
The simple fact of the matter is that there is no methodological or logical explanation for a fitness test of this sort. In any sport if you are starting your season with “fitness tests” I urge you to strongly reconsider. If they are not fit by the measure of the test at the start of the season, what are you going to do now? The alternative is to test at various points in the season and during the off–season to measure progress and set appropriate goals. The key is that the testing must reflect the demands of the sport. It must provide meaningful information that can be used to improve the player’s performance
Mark Day
I agree with the point you are making Vern. May I suggest another side to the story. First of all we don’t know how fast of time is required to make the team. Sure you can’t judge how good of a softball player they are by their mile time but maybe we can get some indication of their health habits. Softball players in my neck of the woods are the most out of shape athletes in the schools. Many are just plain fat. I have some ideas why but could be wrong – all of the better athletes are playing AAU basketball or run track. They sit around during the winter up here not playing any sports and no daily PE program. Is it really too much to ask for a Varsity athlete or most any high school student to be able to run a mile? It is our job to inform these coaches to question everything they do and not just do it because they always have done it.
Mad in Montreal
What about 10×10 squats at Iowa? Nobody is saying anything and this is a major problem. Nobody is vocal because you will loose the brotherhood connection. This is a farce.
Vernon Gambetta
I think you missed the whole point. This is not about softball.
Vernon Gambetta
Certainly not about brotherhood connection, I am definitely not in that brotherhood. Rather it is about being professional. NO ONE SHOULD COMMENT until all the facts are know. Not speculation, but the actual workout.
Gary
Vern- great post! Its like the 60 in Baseball- there is NO transference to game specifics, simply historical comparison (only of value to coaches not players). Skill based sports are very specific in their demands. Training to the sport demands are different than training “fitness”- a very arbitrary term.
Gym Membership
WOW Thank you so much for these tips This is fascinating, and any cross-correlation adds confidence in any sub-component’s reading…. Thanks for sharing.
Wayne Pedranti
I understand what you are saying here. However, I still find fitness tests to be helpful if used correctly. As a cycling coach, I use a fitness test of sort, usually a time trial, to establish a base point from where I begin the training program. The test then can then be used to measure progress.
With that said, using a test to determine a place on the team is absurd.
James Marshall
I think sometimes the testing is insisted on by the S&C coach to justify their position. “Look coach, our players have all improved their bench press by 6.2%”
Yes- but they can’t catch the ball! (note to Green Bay packers receivers)
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