Author: Vernon Gambetta
Training Must Be Sport Specific!
Sport specific training is not a myth, it is a must. Each sport has unique demands that must be addressed in training. Lest we forget training is not just preparing the athlete for the demands of competition but also for the demands of the actual practice of the sport, practice demands will often exceed game demands through the shear repetition of movements and skills. Here is the step by step process for developing a comprehensive athletic development for your sport and athlete: The Program Framework – The program, process and principles is based on scientific laws, functional movements, and practical experience, all designed to develop the complete athlete. The training program takes into account individual athletes’ needs, team and season goals as well as any other objectives that the coaching staff wishes to accomplish for that season or training year. It bears repeating that the development of the training program is a team effort involving input from the sport coaches, athletic development staff, sports medicine staff, and the athlete. The actual program development is a five-step process: Step One – The Sport. Conditioning requirements and game demands vary dramatically from sport to sport. If speed and power are the dominant characteristics of the sport, then speed and power should be the dominant theme in the athletic development program. It is also necessary to take into consideration the position or event within the sport. For example, a quarterback has different requirements than an offensive lineman, even though they both play at the game at same time. The program must reflect those differing demands in terms of type of strength required, movement speed and direction, and specific fitness requirements. Step Two – The Athlete. The program must take into account the different qualities that each athlete brings to the sport. Testing, routine evaluation and observation will provide critical information on speed, individual work capacity, basic strength, injury history, skill level and motivation. Step Three – The System. A systematic approach will help all athletes achieve a higher level of performance. The system is multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary. The components of the system are: Work Capacity – The ability to handle a workload and recover form that workload Speed – This is the ability to perform a specific movement in the shortest period of time with efficiency. Perhaps the most important of all athletic qualities, this can be significantly improved with a systematic program. Strength – Simply the ability to exert force, measurable strength Power – The ability to express force in athletic movements Agility, Balance, and Coordination – The ability to start, stop, change direction and control the body. All these components are interrelated and can be developed systematically to allow optimum athletic development. Step Four – The Plan. No system can be implemented without a thorough plan. The plan should be based on specific measurable goals and objectives in the context of a time frame to reach those objectives. The plan takes into account the various blocks of the training year and distributes the work accordingly. The building blocks of the training plan are: Introductory – A short period to orient and teach techniques as well as establish the routine of training Foundational – The base period where the emphasis is on increasing work capacity Specific Preparation – The application period where the base work is applied to the demands of the specific sport Competition – To fine tune some components and begin to stabilize others Peak Competition – A period to sharpen and “peak” Transition – The “active rest” phase where fitness is maintained but the athlete is given a break In addition, it is imperative there be a multi-year long-term development plan for athletes to increase athletic performance through the duration of their career. Step Five – Testing and Evaluation. Testing is essentially a system of feedback, checks, and balances that allows the coaches and athletes to measure progress in the athletic development program. Testing establishes a baseline for beginning a training program and goal setting. Ultimately, these factors are critical to the success of any training program: Strong commitment from all parties to shift from the traditional paradigm of strength and conditioning to an athletic development approach There must be a highly qualified staff committed to the mission and goals of the athletic development program The staff must have strong commitment to continued learning Continual willingness to innovate and continue to “think outside the box” Disclaimer – I am not selling any training programs, just trying to educate and emphasize common sense
Current Reading
These are two books that have just finished. I highly recommend Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book. It is especially timely in these turbulent times when courageous and inspired leadership is so needed. There are so many lessons and take homes in this book. I especially liked the last four chapters where she focused on the pivotal moments in each of the four presidents (Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, & LBJ). In each of these chapters based on how they handled each of these moments she derived leadership principles. The second book Good to Go is a worthwhile read. The author weaves a good personal narrative looking the science and pseudoscience of recovery. She raises many good questions, the same questions that many of us have been asking for years. It will make you think differently about all the attention that has been given to recovery lately.
Coaching is Teaching
Ultimately a coach is a teacher. Teaching is communicating and communication is the key to effective coaching. Communication has the dimensions of sending and receiving. Coaches, by nature, tend to be good at sending and not always as good at receiving. To be effective we must cultivate both dimensions of communication. Learn to listen as well as speak. Sometimes it is as simple as being there to support the athlete; words are not always the answer.
Movement is a Symphony, not a Solo
For the body to execute efficient athletic movement all parts and systems of the body need to work together in harmony. Movement is a symphony not a solo. You can’t do a “cardio” workout, just like you can’t do a “neural” workout. It is impossible to isolate various systems of the body. All systems of the body work at all times with the demand on a particular system determined by the intensity of the activity. To continue the symphonic metaphor a section of the orchestra is featured or highlighted while the other parts of the orchestra are still playing, albeit in the background.
GAIN 2019 Faculty
Our faculty is a very special group with a tremendous breadth of experiences and a track record of excellence in their chosen fields. They know how a performance team works, how all aspects of athletic development complement each other and most importantly they understand the process of developing athletes. The faculty and their willingness to share and interact make GAIN special. They know how to connect the dots and still stay grounded in the basics. They completely live the GAIN Mission which is: To focus on the possibilities for enhancing human movement with no limits or limitations and emphasize connections and links between all disciplines in the same manner we emphasize connections and linkages in the body. With each faculty members short bio, I have included their presentation topic and a link to their episode on the GAINcast, many have also been guests on the HMMR media podcast. GAIN XI is June 11 to 15, 2019 at Rice University in Houston Texas. Apply as soon as possible. For more information & to apply go to http://thegainnetwork.com/ THE Faculty Vern Gambetta, Founder of GAIN Network, Currently Director of Gambetta Sports Training Systems. Vern brings 50 years of experience having worked with sport at all levels of competition. Vern will do a morning session on the Multi-Stage warm-up, a presentation on Leg, Legs, Legs – the Foundation and a wrap up presentation on Reflections & Recollections. Peter Vint, PhD, is an internationally recognized expert in sport science, performance technology, and sport analytics. He has served as a trusted advisor, consultant, and educator with leading sporting organizations including the US Olympic Committee, UK Sport, Titleist Golf, Nike, and a number of professional sports teams in the NBA, NFL, MLS, MLB, and The Premier League. In 2016, Dr. Vint was hired as Academy Director for Everton Football Club in the English Premier League. During that time, Vint and his leadership team launched a number of initiatives to support improved health, wellbeing, and athletic development of Everton’s 160 Academy players who range in age from 9-21. Prior to his work in the UK, Peter served the United States Olympic Committee for more than a decade as Senior Sport Technologist, Director of High Performance, and Senior Director of Competitive Analysis, Research and Innovation. Dr. Vint holds a Ph.D. in biomechanics (sport science), completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Motor Control and Motor Learning, and has completed executive leadership studies at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. Peter will do two presentations: Deterministic Model – Theory and Application and Living with Analytics GAINcast Episode 80: Performance Team (with Peter Vint) John Pryor, Former conditioning coach Japan Rugby, now the conditioning coach for Fiji Rugby and The Brumbies in Super Rugby. John has developed a system for blending speed and strength development based on his experience and incorporating the concepts of Frans Bosch that apply to all sports. He is not afraid to challenge conventional thinking. John will do a daily Breakout/Workshop on Elements of Robust Running. GAINcast Episode 135: The anatomy of agility – part 1 (with Frans Bosch and John Pryor) GAINcast Episode 136: The anatomy of agility part 2 (with Frans Bosch and John Pryor) Jim Radcliffe, Head S&C Coach University of Oregon, a pioneer and a true master of the profession. Jim Radcliffe joined the Oregon athletic department in August 1986 and works as the head strength and conditioning coach. Radcliffe is one of the most overlooked elements in the success of Oregon student-athletes and not only plays a significant role in the Ducks’ football program as the designer of the year-round conditioning calendar, but also has been quick to aid the athletic development of athletes in the sports of baseball as well as men’s and women’s track & field. While he has long been one of the integral components to the program’s success – as often credited by both past and present Oregon student-athletes – his work and innovation are now recognized as one of the overwhelming contributions to the fast pace the football team has employed in recent years. During his tenure, which is the longest among his counterparts within the Pac-12 Conference, he has established himself as a highly-respected teacher, coach and author. An active clinician throughout the country, he is widely recognized as one of the leading authorities regarding exercise for the development of strength, speed and agility. In addition to overseeing a strength and conditioning program that was named one of the top 10 in the country in 2013 by Bleacher Report, Radcliffe was included on a list of the 65 most influential strength coaches of all time by another 2012 website, as well as one of three national finalists for FootballScoop’s Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year award in 2010. Upon his hiring in 1986, Radcliffe spent two years as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Ducks before assuming the head role, a position he has held since. Radcliffe taught and coached a variety of sports and was the athletic trainer for four years at Aloha (Ore.) High School from 1980-83. He then did graduate study at Colorado and worked in private business prior to joining the Ducks’ staff. Graduating from Pacific (Ore.) with a degree in physical education and health in 1980, he played four seasons at defensive back and was captain of the special teams. Radcliffe earned his Master’s in biomechanics from Oregon in 1992.Jimmy will do a morning filed session on Plyo Progressions and will co-present with Vern on Lessons Learned. GAINcast Episode 125: Gold medal roundtable Martin Bingisser, HMMR Media, Swiss National Hammer Throw Coach, many times Swiss national hammer throw champion. Martin is the founder of HMMR Media, an online coach’s education platform, and co-host of the GAINcast and HMMR Podcast. He is also active as a coach, servicing as the Swiss national coach in the hammer throw, throwing coach for LC Zurich, and fitness coach for GC Rugby Zurich. Martin is a graduate of University of Washington and is a practicing lawyer in Zurich Switzerland. Martin will co-present with John Kiely on New Concepts of Stress & Adaptation. Grace Golden PhD is currently is a Senior Lecturer & Program Director for the Graduate Athletic Training Program at the University of Oregon. Her education includes BS in Physical Education/Teacher Preparation (University of Oregon, 1989), MS in Physical Education/Athletic Training (University of Oregon, 1991) and a PhD in Exercise and Sport Science (Oregon State University, 2007). She has been Head Women’s Athletic Trainer (University of Nevada-Las Vegas, 1997-2000), Assistant Athletic Trainer (Stanford University, 2000-2001), Associate Head Athletic Trainer (UCLA, 2007-2009) and Clinically focused on lower extremity screening and long-term rehabilitation of ACL injuries, her philosophy and approach are strongly influenced by emphasizing the existing intersections of fundamental movement skill development, motor learning theory, and apt performance programming in active individuals who have experienced lower extremity injury in order to emphasize physical literacy & athletic performance and the potential to prevent injuries. Grace will present on Taking a Hard Look at Evidence Based Practice. HMMR Podcast Episode 172: Better balance (with Grace Golden) Nick Garcia, Athletic Development Coach & Assistant Track Coach, Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, California. An accomplished athlete himself Nick has developed an outstanding athletic development at Notre Dame high school where he works with all sixteen sports. He earned his bachelor's degree and his master's in Physical Education from Cal State Northridge. Nick is also the co-host of the HMMR media podcast with Martin Bingisser. Nick will do a morning practical session on Special Strength. GAINcast Episode 46: State of the Sport (with Nick Garcia) Leonard Zaichkowsky PhD, a professor, researcher, and consultant for almost four decades at Boston University, pioneered sports psychology by bringing cognitive neuroscience and sports performance together as an interdisciplinary science. His academic textbooks and research publications demonstrated the importance of an athlete’s remarkable brain in anticipating and acting on opportunities during competition. He has consulted with teams in the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, Australian Rules Football, the Spanish men’s national soccer team, and Olympic sports organizations around the world. Len is a former president and a fellow of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, and currently section editor on psychology for the International Journal of Health, Sport and Science. Recently, the American Psychological Association honored Len with the “Distinguished Service to the Profession” award. Today, Len is a cofounder and senior consultant at 80 Percent Mental Consulting, advising coaches, teams, and sports organizations on developing athlete cognition. After too many Boston winters, he and his wife now live in Fort Myers, Florida. Len will do two presentations: Training the Brain and Learning to Learn Better. GAINcast Episode 130: The playmaker’s advantage (with Len Zaichkowsky and Daniel Peterson) Greg Gatz is in his 19th year as Director of Strength and Conditioning for Olympic Sports. While overseeing the facility management and organization of 21 varsity athletic teams, Gatz is directly in charge of program design and installation for several specific teams including baseball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, and track (sprinters/ hurdlers). Gatz has worked with several national champion teams at Carolina including: women's soccer (1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012), men's soccer (2001 and 2011), a volleyball team that finished with one of its highest national ranking ever (No. 7) in 2014 as well as the baseball team's six recent appearances in the College World Series (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013). Prior to the University of North Carolina, Gatz spent 11 years as a high school physical education teacher and coach in the Orlando, Fla., area. A 1983 graduate of Ithaca (N.Y.) College, Gatz competed in football and track while receiving a degree in physical education. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Greg will do one presentation highlighting the evolution of Olympic Sport Strength & Conditioning program during his 21 years at UNC – The Carolina Way. HMMR Podcast Episode 112: Win Like A Tar Heel (with Greg Gatz and Jonas Sahratian) John Kiely PhD, John has worked directly with the coaches of Olympic and world champions in three major sports. He has coached a Paralympic track medalist and European champion, numerous combat-sport athletes, and lots (and lots!) of kids. From a team sport perspective, he has worked as the Power Training Consultant for the Munster senior rugby squad, the Director of Fitness for Garryowen Rugby Academy, and as an advisor to top professional football clubs. Outside the sporting domain John has consulted for both the police and the military and has performance managed the science and conditioning support for elite polar expeditions. From 2005 to 2009 John was the Head of Strength and Conditioning for UK Athletics, and retains a brief with that organization to provide direct service to current world champion and Beijing silver medalist, triple-jumper Philips Idowu and coach Aston Moore. From an academic perspective John graduated with an honours degree in sports science from the University of Limerick, and a master's degree in strength and conditioning from the University of Edinburgh. In the past John has lectured on sports science and physical education courses at the University of Limerick, has published in both practical coaching and peer-reviewed science journals, served as an invited reviewer for top sport science periodicals, authored a book chapter, presented on various topics at international sports science conferences, and regularly present at coaching conventions. John Kiely will co-present with Martin Bingisser on New Concepts of Stress & Adaptation and will Breakout/workshop on Training Coordination. GAINcast Episode 61: The Future of Periodization (with John Kiely) GAINcast Episode 132: Learning to control (with John Kiely) http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2016/05/hmmr-podcast-episode-48-mental-biases-with-john-kiely/ Bill Knowles, Director of Reconditioning and Athletic Development for HPSports is world-renowned in the field of Sports Reconditioning and Athletic Development. As a specialist with years of experience at the Professional, Olympic, and Elite Junior levels of sport; he specializes in developing injury prevention, performance training and reconditioning strategies for athletes and teams. Bill has lectured and trained staff around the world on his concepts of managing joint compromised athletes in their quest for a return to competition following injury. He has equally presented an adolescent model of injury prevention and performance for soccer players. Bill works consistently with the Philadelphia Union Academy in Major League Soccer/USA. Bill has worked with governing bodies of sport such as the RFU (England Rugby), The FA, Australian Institute of Sport, Chinese Olympic Committee, US Soccer, US Skiing, The England Institute of Sport, and the NCAA. He has trained athletes and staff from over sixty professional teams throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. Bill will present on Beyond Reconditioning. GAINcast Episode 49: Reconditioning (with Bill Knowles) http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2017/10/hmmr-podcast-episode-124-a-dollar-a-day-with-bill-knowles/ Angus Ross PhD, Physical Performance Lead – Performance Physiologist, High Performance Sport New Zealand in a power physiology and strength and conditioning role, primarily working with track and field. He has worked with a number of sports at an elite level within the NZ system, including sprint cycling and skeleton in recent years. He was an Olympian in Bobsled for New Zealand. Angus will present on Eccentric Strength Training – Do’s and Don’ts and A Year with Tom Walsh – Lessons for All GAINcast Episode 83: Power Physiology (with Angus Ross) Ed Ryan, ATC serves The Andrews Institute as the Director of Athletic Medicine providing service on behalf of Nemours Children’s Hospital to the US Tennis Association’s National Campus in Orlando Florida. Ryan served as the 2007-16 USA Basketball Women's National Team athletic trainer and medical services coordinator for all USA Basketball teams. A 21-year member of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Sports Medicine staff, Ed served as the Medical Director and head athletic trainer for numerous events, including the Winter Olympics, Summer Olympics, Winter Paralympics, and the Pan American Games. GAINcast Episode 141: Athletic medicine (with Ed Ryan) Randy Ballard, ATC, Director of Integrated Performance He oversees the collaborative efforts of I-Perform, which includes representation from the Sports Medicine, Strength & Conditioning and Sports Nutrition units to promote an integrated athletic department that provides student-athletes and teams with programming and resources for optimal performance, athletic development and global wellness. Ballard was integral in the creation of the I-Perform program, which launched in the spring of 2014 with the goal of putting forth a unified approach to student-athlete health, well-being and performance. Randy is a graduate of Kansas State and has a master's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas. Randy will present on Putting it all Together. GAINcast Episode 45: Perform (with Randy Ballard) http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2016/01/hmmr-podcast-episode-32-movement-screens-with-randy-ballard/ Joe Przytula, ATC (AKA Mr. GAIN) is currently the Supervisor of Physical Education and Health at Elizabeth Public Schools USA- the second largest school district in the state of New Jersey. Prior to 2012, he was the head Athletic Trainer and a physical education teacher. He graduated from Montclair State College with a BS in physical education with a concentration in athletic training. He was NJSIAA athletic trainer of the year in 1998, recipient of the Governor’s teacher award in 2008, and NJAHPERD Active Schools Champion in 2018. Joe’s model of athletic development and rehabilitation is strongly influenced by manual therapy, the Gambetta Method, and physical therapists David Tiberio and Gary Gray. He has extensive involvement in improving community access to nutritious food, and engineering walkability/bikeability back into neighborhoods. Joe will do a breakout workshop session on Hip to the Shoulder GAINcast Episode 149: Integrated training (with Joe Przytula) Greg Thompson has been teaching and coaching for over 30 years. He has degrees from Alma College and Wayne State University. He currently teaches elementary Physical Education at Longacre Elementary in the Farmington Public School District in the suburban Detroit. Since coming to Farmington, he has served as K-12 Physical Education Coordinator and Department Chair. In addition to his teaching duties, he serves as Acting Principal. His programs have earned two EDEX awards, one for assessment and one for “Rise and Shine”, his before-school exercise program. In 2014 he received the Governor’s Champion for Health award from the Governor’s Fitness Council. Since 2010, he has been a member of the GAIN faculty. As a coach, Greg has successfully completed the USSF “A” License as well as the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. He has performed as Director of Coaching for the Livonia Soccer Club and the Dexter Soccer Club. He is currently with Michigan Rush-Northville as Athletic Development Director. At the collegiate level, he has worked with Schoolcraft College Men’s Soccer, Madonna University Men’s Soccer, and currently with University of Michigan Men’s Club Soccer. Coach Thompson was recognized with Madonna University’s coaching staff as NAIA Regional Coaching Staff of the year. Greg will do a morning practical session on Crawling on Applying Differential Learning Concepts GAINcast Episode 37: Physical Education (with Greg Thompson) Steve Myrland, Myrland Sport Training. Steve is an innovative thinker who can connect the dots like no other. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. He has worked as an athletic development coach in the NHL and at the University level including National Championship teams in Soccer and Ice Hockey at University of Wisconsin. Steve will present morning sessions:Sticks, Straps, & Mini Bands. GAINcast Episode 25: Train to Play (with Steve Myrland) GAINcast Episode 108: Counterculture (with Steve Myrland) http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2018/04/hmmr-podcast-episode-149-zen-and-the-art-of-training-with-steve-myrland/ Chris Webb, a graduate of University of Pittsburgh Chris works closely with Vern Gambetta on GAIN swimming. He is former Head Coach, T2 Aquatics & Fort Collins Area Swim Team. He will present on Coach Wellness & Keep Perspective. Chris will a present Taking Care of Yourself. GAINcast Episode 66: The Champion’s Choice (with Chris Webb)
Thinking About Strength – Part Two
In order to contextualize and better frame strength training how we define it is very important. My definition is a take-off on Frans Bosch definition of coordination training with resistance, in my opinion that is not thorough enough. I define strength training as coordination training with appropriate resistance to handle bodyweight, project an implement, resist gravity and optimize ground reaction forces. To better understand and apply this definition demands that we look closely at each element of the definition. Intermuscular coordination is the key to efficient movement and effective force application. Appropriate resistance will incorporate the following: Handle bodyweight – The emphasis is on relative strength working with various percentages of bodyweight resistances. Project an implement – In throwing events the weight of the implement determines the required resistance to develop strength to move that implement to achieve the desire release speed. Resist gravity – Sports that demand work against gravity necessitate more eccentric and isometric emphasis to express the necessary force. Optimize ground reaction forces – Sports with high ground reaction forces demand realistic reactive strength. This definition should direct the training to incorporate a spectrum of training methods to address the varying strength/power demands of all sports. This should help go a long way to making strength training more applicable. After all is said and done it is not numbers in the weight room that count but performance in the competitive arena. My goal is to have strength transfer to performance, be a means to end, not an end unto itself.
Thinking About Strength – Part One
Yesterday as I watching Free Solo https://tinyurl.com/y98yt7ra all I could think of is how strong Alex Honnold ,as he was suspended by one hand thousands of feet above the ground. Yet I hardly think by any traditional weight room measure would he be considered strong. So whats the deal with strength? I think we need to rethink strength training and what is strong. For over fifty years I have been puzzled by the question – How much strength is enough? I am convinced that there is no answer if we are looking in measurable terms. Alex Honnold has as much as he needs to Free Solo EL Capitan. Here are some thoughts on strength. Of all the biomotor qualities strength is the most all-encompassing. There is no form of motion that does not require some expression of force; therefore, all sports will derive benefit from sport appropriate strength training. Because of its importance and ease of measurement it is tempting to train strength independently, but it is important to underscore that strength is a highly interdependent motor quality that profoundly interacts with and affects all the other biomotor qualities. It must be trained accordingly, and this interaction must be accounted for in the whole training program. The benefits of a sound strength-training program are: Improved ability to reduce and produce force Increased ability to express explosive power Increased joint stability Significant contribution to Injury prevention and rehabilitation Strength by definition is the ability to exert force without any time constraints – how much force can be applied. Power, on the other hand, has a significant time element. It is the ability to express force in the shortest amount of time. Power can be further broken down into speed dominated or strength dominated power. Strength dominated power is characterized by the need to express high force against external resistance. Shot put and discus throw, and American football are activities that demand strength dominated power. Speed dominated power is characterized by restricted resistance. Throwing a baseball, swinging a golf club or a tennis racquet characterize speed dominated power. The traditional emphasis in strength training has been on the movement of a body part – force production. Contemporary thinking has shifted to recognize that strength plays an important role in resisting movement of a body part, which is the eccentric component. It is during the force reduction phase where most injuries occur. The role of strength to stabilize or fixate a body part is also an important performance factor. A sound strength development program will carefully direct training to address all three functions of muscle actions in an integrated manner. Neuromuscular, muscular, biochemical, structural and biomechanical factors govern strength acquisition. Each factor should be taken into consideration in the design and implementation of a strength training program. Ultimately, it is the neural component that drives the system and enables the muscles to work. The nervous system in response to the specific task governs recruitment order and sequence. The initial adaptation that occurs in strength training is neural. It is essentially learning to engage the appropriate stabilizers and more effectively reduce and produce force. The neural adaptations are manifested as increased firing rate, motor unit recruitment, and improved motor unit synchronization. That is why when a beginner starts a program the initial gains are quite dramatic without any appreciable gains in hypertrophy. Maximum strength is the highest force that can be exerted during a single voluntary muscular contraction. We know from practice and research that once those neural pathways have been opened now it is relatively easy to go back and tap into those pathways. Once the maximal strength base has been established, we do not have to go back each training year and repeat the same loading cycles. Those cycles can be shorter and more intense to reopen the pathways. The limiting factor in both the acquisition and expression of strength often is not the strength of the large muscles but rather the smaller stabilizing and synergistic muscles that guide and allow the quality expression of strength development process in order to develop functional strength. Functional strength is the ability to dynamically reduce and produce force through full range of movements with speed and control. Functional strength is a major contributing factor toward smooth, coordinated athletic movement; it is not as measurable, but it is very observable. Strength Endurance is the ability to perform repetitive strength-oriented actions in a climate of fatigue. Once base level strength has been developed then it is possible to work on developing strength endurance. You must have a base level of strength so can you endure it. The principle of strength before strength endurance addresses this. Therefore, in a sequence of training the initial block is devoted to basic strength acquisition.
No Track, No Problem
Congratulations to Tove Shere, Track Coach at Santa Fe Prep for being inducted in the New Mexico high school track & field coaches Hall of Fame. Tove’s teams have won multiple state championships and they don’t have a track! Tove never let this be an obstacle, instead it represented an opportunity to be innovative and creative in training. No excuses, she just got the job done. Tove has been an integral part of the GAIN community since it’s inception. She is always learning, trying to improve and get better. She is quite an accomplished athlete herself finishing on the Podium the World Duathlon championships. We need more coaches like Tove, who know how to coach the person and are teachers first. I don't have many heroes but Tove Shere is definitely one of my heroes.