Why..why…why…?
Leave a commentDecember 7, 2011 by Gary McCoy
When an athlete is introduced to a new exercise by his Strength and Conditioning Coach- (or any skills coach for that matter)- there is one resounding question that MUST be asked:
WHY?
Strength Coaches (and any coach prescribing a exercise to adapt a purpose) should have an answer that makes sense , and an answers that has immediate and direct connection to:
(a) Your individual goals,
(b) Your sport, (not always as obvious as it seems)
(c) Your time of season, and
(d) YOU as the individual athlete.
If the answer proposed doesn’t accompany all four of these responses-question further and seek an “edit” on the exercise for these targets.
I see too many athletes and strength coaches caught up in Fads. I cringe now when I see Lebron James – plank position – pulling a weighted rope on Nike’s latest Basketball Commercials (sans NBA). I can almost guarantee I’ll see this exercise now in Spring Training – and likely a strength coach who will be prescribing it.
WHY?
I asked this when I saw the exercise- immediately thought of James- using isometric core strength defending space under the rim- pulling his arm back (shoulder flexion and elbow extension) against his opponent and thought- “makes sense”. It’s a low risk exercise-high transfer to the sport- right maybe for James as an individual (I can’t accurately answer that question) and when the season will start? Who Knows… overall-from a general perspective I see this as a “transferable” exercise for basketball. Highly photographic exercise for nikes purpose- who knows if James even does this (although he looked highly adept at the process)
For baseball? No.
The only transfer this may have is in those once annual bench clearing brawls that look more like a group dance with a push- pull- hold – and wasted energy.
WHY?
Athletes: Ask this consistently- Coaches: be ready for the question and be responsible enough to have the right answers- if not- you’re guessing- and your athlete deserves better.
WHY?- its the question that helps the industry- the coach and the athlete- evolve.
