Training for Athletes (Part 2)

After posting yesterday, I did some research on a couple college programs that use the CrossFit model to train their basketball players.  Everyone dies things just a little bit different, but in the end the reasoning and results are the same...Building explosive and strong players!

Two programs that use the model (and there are many others): University of Virginia & Tennessee Tech University.  Here are a few quotes from the Strength Coach at University of Virgina, Mike Curtis (Taken from the "Cavalier Talk" September 2011 Newsletter)...

I primarily and initially focus on an athletes' ability to be an efficient and effective mover.! I believe mobility, stability, and technical proficiency in fundamental movements should take place before any heavy loading is imposed.! In regards to specificity I think that there must be some level of simulation that needs to take place in order truly get athletes to execute movements they need in the competitive environment.
Start with the basics.! Master your own body weight first.! Establish mobility, stability, and efficiency in fundamental movement patterns.! You will become stronger and more powerful as you build relative strength and efficiency in movement.! Once you have established that you can progress to more advanced training protocols.

Those quotes right there sum up the reasoning behind why traditional weight room training is NOT for me and my program.  If I were a power lifting coach, then I see the tremendous benefit...But, until the Big 3 major sports (or any others for that matter) are played in a static position where you push/press/pull/squat a load 2x as heavy as yourself, I'll stick to training athletes to become better athletes...not better lifters.

Training for Athletes

How many times have I heard that "you gotta max out on bench and squat to see progress"...I call BS on that one.  As a basketball coach, and even more a trainer of all athletes, it is worthless and unsafe to worry about maxing out for any sport other than power-lifting.  Developing functional strength in all planes of movement, while being able to stay near 100% effort for the longest duration of time is what it is all about.

So what...You can bench 285 two times, good for you!  How about finishing 100 full range hand-release push-ups in under two minutes?  Can you accomplish this?  How many times in sport are we going to be laying on our back pressing 285 lbs off of us twice and then be crushed by it the third time?  Never.  How many times are you going to have to carry 400 lbs on your upper back and squat down and up twice? Never. So why do people continue to try and train athletes that way?  The answer is lack of knowledge and an unwillingness to think outside of the box.

This will be discussed in more length/depth in the upcoming posts...Have a great day!

Adapting The System

After doing much research and thinking on "The System" made famous by Grinnell and LMU (and adapted slightly by Doug Porter), I see some very useful teaching tools/points that will serve well in the upcoming season.  As a student of the game, I am always interested in how others coach the X's & O's as well as philosophy.  I am an uptempo style coach by nature, but struggle with some parts of high scoring basketball because of the different defensive philosophy.  I LOVE DEFENSE.

Pressure, Run, Pressure...but not to give up easy shots.  With the athletes and skills that we currently have in our program, an adaptation of my own of "The System" is where I am at right now.  We will continue to be uptempo and attacking, but I don't know if I could ever be a total convert to "The System"...I think it will have to be my own "Quasi-System"!  Maybe if it works I can make my own DVD's!

Square Peg - Round Hole??? Coaching Thoughts...

After much thought and deliberation about what offense would best suit our team this coming season, I am at a stand still.  Do I try to fit a certain offensive system to my players, or fit my players to an offensive system...better yet, do I come up with my own system that incorporates the things we do the best???

Therein lies the question...

Notes, web sites, DVD's, clinics...All of these coaches and systems in place, but what is the best way to go about it?  Being a true MOTION style coach makes it real hard for me to commit to a structured offensive system, but at the same time are today's high school kids basketball smart enough to be taught (and comprehend) true motion offense?  What is the answer...I have not decided.

So the basketball lab work continues until I feel fully comfortable with my choice.  Maybe an epiphany will happen real soon!

Pride Point System Going Well

Since the creation of the "Pride Point System" (which adds point values to scheduled basketball workouts/events, other sport team contests, community service, and grades), we have had 16-20 basketball players working hard and competing in the classroom, in workouts, and in support of other teams in the school.  Its been a great tool and motivator for our program and I hope it continues to help us build championship people in our program!

--
"Strive for Perfection~Settle for Excellence"

Brian W. Rea
Computers / Accounting
Head Boys Basketball / Golf Coach
IBCA District 17 Board Member

Payson-Seymour High School
Home of the Indians!

Coaching Clinic Possibility!!!

After discussion with a current head girl's coach across the river in Missouri, I think I am going to try and put together a coaches roundtable clinic for the fall of 2011.  This clinic will be an opportunity to further the coaching fraternity and help build closer relationships among area coaches.  The premise is not to pay college coaches or other presenters to talk about the same things over and over...It's to use the expertise and knowledge of the coaches attending to create a "Topic List" to be discussed, dissected and conversed about during the event.  Coaches with knowledge of certain topics will be the presenters, and Q & A will be the format.

Nothing like going to a clinic and actually learning things you want to learn about!  Stay tuned for details about this clinic...Hope it catches on!

Coaching...Risk and Reward

This is currently my 10th year of coaching and my 7th as a head coach.  Having taken a "quick" road to head coaching as a 23 year old, I have seen the risks and rewards of this profession.  I can't say that the rewards have been substantial in gratitude, awards or great success record-wise, but I can say they have been great in terms of the things that really matter.  I am talking about relationships, teaching the game, building toughness, and being part of something special. 

In 2 of the 4 head coaching positions I have held, the risk far out-weighed the reward.  Being a young, inexperienced (in terms of PR) coach was difficult in the situations that I took over.  The two programs had very little recent and historical success, and I was naive enough to think that knowing the game of basketball was going to see me through.  Boy was I wrong.  Those were huge risks to my career and longevity because of my naivety and bravado for wanting to be the "head guy".  With those two stops, I have compiled a record that many casual observers would deem to be poor.  Fans or "experts" not looking at the state of the programs, the players talent and ability level, and the overall negativity and lack of overall support were all reasons that these jobs were not right for a fiery, young, passionate coach.  I thought my knowledge of the game could see me through...Risk taken, reward limited...on to the next opportunity.

Luckily for me, I have a wife and children now that need a stable place to live around family that cares about us.  My options 3 years ago were not much better than when I began, as well as being in many different corners of the State.  The best decision I ever made was not even mine to begin with.  It was the help of a wife and a couple veteran coaches that lead me to where I am now.  Thank God for all of them because, despite the inevitable criticisms and second-guessing that comes with coaching, without them I would not be where I am and enjoying building a successful program.  I was within a couple of weeks of changing my profession from teacher/coach to law enforcement officer...I can't see myself doing anything other than what I am doing now, but the toll of all the hatred, negativity, back-stabbing, lack of support, and criticism brought me to a crossroads.  If not for a few people that cared about me I would probably not be doing this right now.  I must thank them.  They came through for me at the right time and I am never looking back.

Coaching is still a fickle profession unless you win every single game.  You will never be liked, you will never be the most popular.  It is a relatively thankless job that only certain individuals can ever do with any success and longevity.  Through the help of a small support system, some mental toughness, and a love and respect for the positions that I hold I hope to be one of the few that get to do this until it is my time to decide to hang 'em up.  Winning isn't everything, but to many that is all that truly matters in the end.  My job and goal is to marry the winning with the building to make a long lasting tradition of excellence.  To represent the school and community that I serve, and to build the young student-athletes I lead into great citizens and winners in life.  I know that I always have things to work on, change and make better, but I never stop trying.  When you think you know everything you actually know nothing.  Hopefully I get the opportunity to be one of those veteran coaches that can help the younger ones out someday.  I have only ever wanted to be like my Dad...my coach and hero... , and I hope that I can continue in my climb to do what I enjoy for the rest of my life.

Thanks... To my father for being my role model and allowing me the opportunity to learn the game of basketball.  To my mother for loving me and believing I could do whatever I wanted to do...and trying to keep my ego in check!  To my wife for being so supportive and understanding...and for always being the devil's advocate and helping my see the error of my ways.  And finally to the coaches/mentors/friends that believed in me and helped pave an avenue for me to have a chance to be successful in this business.  I am forever grateful and can never repay you enough.