Gym versus Running

[speedcoach]

I appreciate the response. I do what I can to get my kids ready for the rigors of college sports both physically and psychologically. I tell them the things I faced both good and bad as a college athlete. I have applied many things I have learned from people like Ian King, Charlie, and through your books and postings. I have been able to do what I do thanks to those who openly share information. I appreciate your feedback. I wish I could send them all to you at Pitt. I know you and buddy would’t ruin them.

@James_Smith

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Very true. In fact, you pointing out that my position affords me different opportunities that one such as yours does, in the private sector, is what allowed me to realize that I am a coach and not a trainer.

I state this will all due respect because I too ran my own facility as a trainer while concurrently coaching at the high school level.

To your question, no doubt that hockey training presents an interesting problem. I agree with Charlie in that the special work capacity is more than taken care of by the game and practices themselves; particularly with respect to the higher stages of sport competition in which the competition calendar is tremendously long.

I would also back Charlie in that it makes sense to take the relatively short time that is available in terms of off-season, to first ensure that adequate therapy options are in place and then, as for development, seek to improve max output in the necessary areas- be it speed, power, strength, and what have you because so much of the practice environments never touch on max out put in favor of operational capacities.

It appears to me as if you do an excellent job speed coach.