Archives for Athlete training category
Posted on Apr 09, 2010 under Athlete training, Athletic abilities, Athleticism, Coaching, General physical preparation, Specialized physical preparation, Specificity, Strategy, Training athletes, Training specialists, athletic performance, coaches, functions, training |
When we take a look at the functions and duties of most coaches, it becomes obvious that they are not involved in development of the athlete’s skills, the foundation for improved player performance. Many people may disagree with this assessment but if you closely examine what is taking place, you’ll see that it is true.
Most teams have a coach devoted to improving physical abilities, but this is a far cry from improving player skills. In addition, teams may have skill coaches who, rather than developing basic skills such as running, jumping, throwing, etc., spend more time teaching the functions of the player in different positions. Read more… »
People who teach yoga often give it more credibility than they should. For example, it is not uncommon to read that yoga will increase your strength, flexibility, breath control and awareness.
Yoga specialists maintain that it is a misconception that too much flexibility can make joints less stable. They maintain that yoga increases the stability of joints by strengthening the connective tissue and muscles that surround them. Read more… »
A few articles have been appeared dealing with the exercise programs used by some professional football players. They show the athletes doing exercises such as the tire lift and flip (tractor tire weighing 115 pounds) pushing a 400 pound wheelbarrow up a hill, hitting the tire with a sledgehammer, running while dragging the tire behind you and so on.
According to the articles, some of the workout is related to MMA workouts, some to crosstraining and with all work focussed on core and power endurance training. Also, the workouts are designed to simulate, in an amplified manner, the types of movements and muscles the player requires for his position. Does such work get them ready for the season? Read more… »
What does it take to be a high level athlete? If you listen carefully to the analysts during the Olympic games or other major competitions, perseverance and desire rank foremost to becoming a world-class athlete. There is no questioning the fact that these are important attributes and are prerequisites for success. However, by themselves they will never make anyone a world-class or other level athlete.
To become a great athlete takes a great deal of hard, miserable and tedious work. It is not by itself–fun! Anyone who goes into a sport to become an Olympic or professional athlete will soon find out that it is not fun and games, although it may appear that way. The game play seems to be effortless and easy, so that for them it is “fun.” However, it is amazing the amount of concentration and thinking that goes into playing on a high level. But this occurs only when the physical qualities are developed to their fullest and are commensurate with skill technique.
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I’ve seen multiple articles lately talking about what constitutes functional training. It seems that the definition is changing somewhat making the term almost obsolete. At one time functional was used to describe an exercise that duplicated movements that the athlete or individual did in his sport or daily life.
Today however, the definition appears to be more general so that it can include just about every exercise. For example, in an article that appeared in today’s paper it was stated that “balance,, lifting, twisting and bending are four main movements we use daily. If you can incorporate any of these movements into your training, you will be doing functional training.” Read more… »
After 52 years, Gary Player, a well known professional golfer, has decided that his appearance in the Masters tournament this year will be his last. Gary as most of you may know, is an avid fitness buff and has been well-known over the years for his great physical condition.
He stated that “I’m exercising profusely, but it’s very difficult at 73 to build strength. The golf course is so long. It is just so long. I mean, I’m hitting a wood to almost every single hole.” This shows that exercising to be in shape is not the key to hitting the ball a long distance. This, however, is possible even at 73. I and many golfers that I have worked with can attest to this. Read more… »
In order to become a better player and to develop a more effective swing, run, throw, etc. you must play more. This is a typical consensus that has been in operation in the sports world for many years. In essence, you learn and improve while you play.
However, with the advent of new technology especially in the exercise field, it has now been shown quite conclusively, that you can improve execution of your basic skills faster and more effectively without playing more. As a result your gameplay is much improved. Read more… »
The proponents of core/stability training state that this type of training is needed in order to improve balance. To a certain extent this is true because balance type activities are included in the core/stability training. Most often, you must balance yourself while you do the exercise.
The balance developed however, is static in nature and thus it improves balance in which you must hold the body in one position. There is no transfer to active sports in which there is dynamic movement. To improve balance, especially dynamic balance which is needed in sports, you must do active movements and at the same time, keep your body in balance. Read more… »
Split routines are becoming more popular not only in bodybuilding but in the fitness and athletic fields. In general, a split routine indicates that you work one area of the body on one day and a different area of the body on another day. For example, upper body—Monday and Thursday, lower body—Tuesday and Friday, with a day off in between (Wednesday) for rest, technique, or cardio work.
In some cases split routines can be used to indicate different body part training as for example an arm and a chest exercise or an arm and a leg exercise on one day and different body parts on other days. In such cases there is more time in between repeating the same body part training since only two body parts are usually covered in one training session. Read more… »
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