After spending some time reviewing archives, I found it very interesting that many of the great training ideas out there that coaches are following, or even writing about, lead back to Charlie Francis. Whether it’s:
Vertical integration
CNS stimulation and fatigue
Recovery intervals
Short to long speed progressions
Using weights as a general stimulus
EMS
The importance of massage and soft-tissue work with high performance athletes
I know that Charlie picked up and synthesized many ideas from his predecessors into his own philosophy, but he has been able to articulate these ideas in a way that other coaches can easily understand them, and apply them with our athletes. And he has been able to demonstrate that these principles work at the highest levels of performance.
Charlie is also very forthcoming in crediting those who have come up with good ideas, that he has integrated into his philosophy.
This is what troubles me about the recent influx of training gurus out there - most, if not all of them, present their information as though it was invented by themselves. They offer little to no credit to their predecessors. Any good stuff that they present is someone else’s, and the rest of their material is merely circus training that could be classified as falling into the realm of general fitness.
Any thoughts from other members? Do you have any examples of how Charlie’s writings have influenced athletic performances around the world?
Every guru, trainer,coach,athlete whatever builds his/her knowledge base from preceding generations. We’re all influenced by somebody.
I don’t know of too many that stop every teaching moment to acknowledge where the idea entered their brain. Maybe they should in a sales environment but most will not.
I think it’s understood by most that they didn’t invent the process.
As new information comes about, all change with the tide.
Without question, the Internet has changed the equation entirely.
As always, caveat emptor. I learned that from the Greeks I think.
Originally posted by NumberTwo This is what troubles me about the recent influx of training gurus out there - most, if not all of them, present their information as though it was invented by themselves. They offer little to no credit to their predecessors. Any good stuff that they present is someone else’s, and the rest of their material is merely circus training that could be classified as falling into the realm of general fitness.
what irks me the most is that these gurus ALWAYS have some gizmo or contraption to sell
Charlie is definitely a great coach, what has impressed me is how his athletes talked about him.
I find it sad that the fallout from Seoul 88 has clouded people´s minds regarding his genious. Because of this many achievements will not be connected to an important influencing factor. In some cases things are forgotten, in some cases not. What does Dr. Wade Exum think?
To reach “Guru” statis you have to sell something and be able to make up “new” terms to make yourself sound good in your “new” training world you invented.
