Sunday, July 27, 2008

Sean,

that was great post. Some really good questions asked. I am in the process of moving, but i really want to discuss some of your points. I will have my take on things in the next couple of weeks so bear with me....

Glad to hear things are going well

Jay aka Canada

Monday, July 14, 2008

Technique for speed and agility + Q&A

Hey Guys, long time long time.

Its so friggen cold here in South Africa. Had to go out and shoot two leopards to keep extra warm this winter. And from our last trip I have managed to keep some Rhino horn for Manny which they say is a aphrodisiac ;)

On to business.

I would like to start a discussion and see what all your views are on the following.
1. Technique
2. Mechanics of sprinting
3. Agility technique

Technique for speed,
Below is a summary of speed technique.

1. Body relaxed
2. Arms just bent over 90 degrees
3. chin slightly tucked
4. chest out, back flat
5. Either a Parisi start, lee taft start or game stance, i.e.
i.e. Athletes either rolls or takes a back step according which methodology you follow or maybe you use both
6. Load glutes and muscles
Athlete accelerates over 20m or yards.
1. Arms drive with good technique in mind.
2. Ankle is cock upwards
3. Heel reaches up and over the knee
4. Body must be relaxed
5. Athlete must remember it is a ball to heel motion since the two major muscles that are responsible for speed is the glutes and hamis.

What important factors that are left out and what are some niche areas that you think should be added, i.e. your own methodologies of teaching speed technique.

Q&A
What happens in this next phase when the athlete slows down?

· Does the athlete use a heel to ball motion? Since your breaking muscle is the quads?
· or does he continue to run on a ball to heel motion until he slows down to a halt.
When doing lunges, diagonal lunges, and crab lunges, why do we push off our heels? I understand that it activates the glutes and it is a direct line between the ankle hip bone and shoulders but we will never use this heel push off in a game situation?
Also when doing plyo jumps onto a box? Why do we land heel toe?

Agility

1. When setting up a zig zag drill where the athlete has to sprint to each cone, change direction and move along to the next cone and change again. Now two schools of thought are at play here, The one is where I am inclined to open up the inside leg, realign into your stance and accelerate again. The other one is to take the outside leg up and over and thrust down causing a sling like motion. Now having tested both and tried both and see value in both, I am left confused to which is right or when will the one be a situational correct and when would it not? Where would you use them, whether is just be the one or the other?

2. Also what are your top 5 agility technique teaching drills that are used for foundational training?

I would like all your views on the matter and see who is doing what. Above is based on Parisi, brian grasso, lee taft, etc. But I have mixed ideas so hence I want to see what my peers think.

Have a great Day Guys
And I look forward to your comments.
p.s. is anyone doing their level 2 this year?

Cheers
Sean aka South Africa