It is true that we do not post ‘record’ boards or place a premium on ‘weight room numbers’. Alternatively, Buddy and I and our players enjoy observing their physical preparation develop over time.
As far as the weight training is concerned, it has a higher value for the down linemen due to maximal strength being more closely linked to their positional biodynamic structure.
As for my skill players, while we certainly observe the value of improving weight room strength, particularly regarding those who necessitate it most relative to their stage of development, it yields to the premium I place on speed development, specifically regarding the energy required to practice sprinting and field based movement drills, and the developments associated with the positional work I emphasize close to camps.
It is enjoyable to modify the training at an individual basis according to the developments experienced by the players as individuals.
I have recently devised a plan for training camp and the season that will provide for up to 60 distinct training configurations in order that each of my guys may most effectively address their readiness on any given day. This is covered in a DVD I will be making available within the next few weeks.
It’s already recorded from a lecture I gave to a class of post graduate exercise physiology students at PITT just hours after our Pro Day.
My video guy is currently editing and producing it for me. It will be available through my website when it’s done. My ‘off-season’ DVD is available there as well if you weren’t already aware.
In regards to bad S&C coaches, I think James Smith explained the issue best; he said: “due to the large talent pool in America, it’s much easier to recruit the best then to actually take the time to develop whoever you get.”
So really, the situation is were the management of American sports itself does not bring out the best in American Coaches (or Athletes). Now if coaches had to hang onto their athletes for 10 years+, it’s possible that would encourage coaches to think more of the development of the sport then personal gain.
Well put. Im listening to podcasts right now on college and pro S&C coaches now and they all sound the same. They all sound like they use that stupid HIT system. 1 said they do a workout twice a week in season for about 20 mins on tues and thurs. Another was talking about there testing and admitted that there test wasnt the best.
I’m not trying to defend all college S&C coaches, but you specifically mentioned in season workouts that were only 2 mnutes in length, 2x a week.
While I’m sure there might be a better way to do things, many football coaches are completely oblivious to the physical demands of their own sport, as James points out so often. There are quite a number of S&C college coaches who have absolutely no say in the amount of time that they get with the athletes, particularly in season.
When you factor in the NCAA’s 20 hour rule, and in-house compliance people that can’t wait to self report the football program, I can see how some S&C coaches may only get 20 minutes of actual strength training 2x week in season.
Just food for thought…
Oh I totally understand that there may only be 20 min twice a week expecially in college but it was a nfl strength coach who said that. Thats what kinda amazes me. Granted it was in season but I know for a fact that other teams do way more than just 20 min twice a week.
Ok not to start a arguement but you cannot be serious about us being jealous of barwis. My partners and I know athletes who train under this fool and trust me none of them cant stand his workouts. Unfortunately alot of strength coaches get there position by the who you know system. I understand thats how the world works but still S&C is pretty much common sense and yeah this fool has none! His system has gotten more kids hurt more than ever at the beloved U of Mich. I spoke to Mike Gittelson privately a few weeks ago and he even admitted that he was a moron under his breathe. This is coming from a man who has a nice pension coming from U of M and is working for Rodgers equipment going across the country given speeches.
RB
Yes, I too keep it simple with usually less than 5-6 exercises in season. However, the list of exercises you posted allows for only 4 minutes each per exercise. In 20 minutes of time, an athlete would have to do an extremely fast circuit-style lift, and that doesn’t even account for a warm up. In our weight room set up, I need more time than 20 minutes…I personally prefer longer rest intervals between sets, but there’s many ways to accomplish things. If you put a gun to my head, I’d like 45 minutes for each athlete;)
I’m certain of how I consider a coach to be qualified, or not, and to what degree, even amidst the complexity of team sport preparation and all the factors that determine the outcome of game day.
Regarding the physical preparation coach, these are the factors which must, in my view, be judged as they are common to all coaches regardless of what level they coach at and any other conceivable factors, with the caveats that the player does not participate in any other sports and remains under the coaches supervision during the off-season:
how healthy do the players remain during the off-season and what are the nature of the injuries, if any
how does the coach rationalize their training program, as well as the player’s improved physical condition, in relation to the biodynamic and bioenergetic structure of the player’s positional demands within the tactical and philosophical structure of their respective coordinators
to what degree is the training individualized and how
how is the the training monitored
how is workload vs recovery managed and accounted for in the program
what is the coaches understanding of the training effect, and related stress, of the means they integrate into the program
regarding ‘testing’, to what degree does the test activity/activities dynamically correspond to the positional-tactical-philosophical biodynamc/bioenegetic structure
It is a mistake to form a direct correlation between wins and losses and the qualification level of the physical preparation coach because there are highly qualified physical preparation coaches who have endured losing seasons and absolutely incompetent, in my view, physical preparation coaches who have been part of championships.
The win/loss columns are affected by a great deal of factors outside of the control of the physical preparation coach; however, the criteria I outlined above are not.
