Having reviewed the discussion here, I see that it is important to clarify something:
‘Strength’ must be assigned context because strength itself is absolutely specific to the means by which it is manifested.
A deadlift, a squat, a bench press, a powerclean, and so on, are only assured to demonstrate how much load an individual can overcome in those exact exercises. Any transfer to movements other than those exercises will vary from one individual to the next based upon a host factors; most of which are encompassed by morphobiomechanics.
In order to be assured more and more transfer the exercise itself must begin to approximate the dynamics of the competition exercise.
This is why Charlie’s general organism strength principle is genius. Charlie left the specific work to sprints, resisted sprints (sled, hills) and drills themselves (as specific as it gets) and the rest to general organism strength.
What most don’t realize is that it demands incredible ‘strength’ to sprint very fast; however, this strength is often not demonstrated on barbell exercises because there are no barbell exercises that closely transfer to sprinting at or near +12m/s at max V.
Rest assured, Tommy Smith, Carl Lewis, Bolt, and all the other taller sprinters, who were/are not known for their focus or ability to lift large barbell loads, were/are extremely ‘strong’.
How do we quantify this ‘strength’ you might ask…
By using our stop watch.
Sprinting IS specific strength- strength specific to mobilizing oneself down the track at the highest possible speed.
So as far as the training for speed goes, trust me in that the ‘strength’ training MUST be individualized to each sprinter. It is for this reason why a group of sprinters may all run 12m/s with Ben Johnson lifting massive barbell loads, Carl Lewis not lifting barbells much at all, Asafa Powell conservatively, by comparison, weight training, Gay doing whatever he does with his personal trainer (certainly doesn’t appear to be any heavy lifting involved) and Bolt using mostly machines with low loads.
While my fastest guys are obviously not at the level of 12m/s they are fast within the context of American football distances and I have a handful of players who run high 4.3/low 4.4 (hand timed) some of who squat, some leg press, some split squat with dumbbells, and so on. It only matters that the individual is sufficiently stimulated optimally relative to no one other than themselves.
Put simply, do only what you must do to improve the result.
As speed coach notes, there is a substantially greater ‘strength’ requirement for American football. In this case the ‘strength’ is not only demonstrated in mobilizing the players around the field but also in overcoming and resisting the inertia from their opponents.
But again, this ‘strength’ doesn’t necessarily rely upon the use of barbell exercise. I have seen over and over again the use of technical-tactical maneuvering and leveraging/positioning win the battle over an opponent who can lift heavier barbells.
Resistance training is what assists in improving strength (don’t be concerned with EMS at the moment). Lifting weights is only one small, albeit common, means of resistance training.
Use your imagine and you’ll note just how free one is to become ‘stronger’ via resistance training even if they have no access to the conventional apparatus.
We must only become ‘specific’ when we discuss specific objectives. Hence, there is no arguments against the fact that, at the very least:
- sprinters must sprint
- Olympic weightlifters must snatch and C&J
- powerlifters must squat, bench, deadlift
- hammer throwers must throw the hammer
- shot putters must put the shot
- discus throwers must throw the disc
- javelin throwers must throw the javelin
- high jumper must high jump
- long jumpers must long jump
- triple jumpers must triple jump
- pole vaulters must pole vault
- strongmen must overcome their implements
and so on and so forth.
Any other training exercises must ultimately be used on an case by case basis in order to support the increase of the competition exercise for that individual, prevent against injury, support mobility, suppleness and the rest of the general preparatory needs.
To make blanket statements, regarding the efficacy of an exercise other than the competition exercise, to any group of participants in the same sport discipline is irresponsible.
We are only responsible in emphasizing the importance of exercises, other than the competition exercise, if we know that it positively transfers to the competition exercise across a broad population. For this to happen, the exercise must satisfy more and more criteria of dynamic correspondence.
It’s not what most want to hear, because it requires more time and effort; however, the reality is that each and every athlete deserves an individualized program. The degree to which this is logistically feasible is ultimately a question of the coach’s commitment and, in the case of team sports, the athletes trainability and work habits.
I lead by example in this case as the only exercises that I require my players to perform are those that I know directly transfer to improved sport form.
