Interview with Tudor Bompa

[James_Smith]

@lkh

OK, so you DO have max strength; It’s just not at the same time as SPP for the primary activity. This sounds similiar to what I have with Russian PL methodology, where there is a primary load peak before SPP, the weight load is cut sharply during the main part of SPP, then cycles up again (more weight than before, but ~75% fewer reps) as the track volume comes off. The Russians actually do this to carefully program the supercompensation phase, but it has the advantage of carefully balancing weight load versus training load for the primary activity.

Correct. I actually outline my annual programming in a seminar I recently lectured at in New Jersey. This will be available on DVD for anyone interested.

The Russian approach you’ve mentioned makes the most sense to me regarding the T&F disciplines that are more closely linked to special strength preparation in the technical/tactical sense such as the jumps and throws; while I am more drawn to CFTS with respect to sprints/hurdles.

@lkh

If you accept Charlie’s philosophy of track strength preceding weights, then it might seem logical to sharply reduce or eliminate squats during the period in SPP where there is track volume of enough intensity to provide the stimulus–and then as the track load goes down, the squats might be cycled appropriately to maintain the stimulus.

Agreed, although I would tend to keep it around just enough to maintain smoothness when the aspect of the load, represented by the squat, picks back up. This is where my choice of sub-maximal weight training comes into play (enough to retain yet low enough not to compete)

@lkh

You have to be very careful mixing approaches, something I learned whe I started training with John Smith part of the time a couple of years ago.

No question. In order for this to work it is the principles of varied approaches, or even the spirit which inspired those principles, that may effectively be aggregated with other principles/spirits into a highly effective working model.

This is essentially what I have done for my American footballers as I am heavily influenced by Charlie as well as the Soviets so to this I’ve added my own original thinking into my own working model that is, in my opinion, very well thought out and practical.

@lkh

LSU has a VERY high intensity track approach that emphasizes contrast training as the primary track workout. This is not just overspeed (part of the season) but maybe the most risky training method ever invented short of doing depth jumps off a skyscraper. BUT…it works, and even if you get injured, you still get faster (everyone I know who has used this has gotten faster, although the occasional injury rate is seems to be at least 50%).

Surprising to me that such as high cost approach would be used; especially considering the talent pool they routinely have to work with.

It’s curious to me that the approach would not be simplified in order to allow the genetically gifted to be nurtured as opposed to playing Russian Roulette.

@lkh

Because of the extreme stress (hamstrings particularly) of this one track workout, LSU may need the very light weight loads you see pictured in the videos.

That stands to reason; although their lifting form is, and I do not believe that this is even open for debate, entirely unacceptable.