Manual labor training of the 1920's & 30's

Last week, while in Kansas City, I toured through The College Basketball Experience (of which I do not recommend for the $12 I spent to look around) and took the photo below of Ward "Piggy" Lambert's champion Purdue basketball team, that John Wooden was a part of (Coach Wooden is front row, fourth from the left).

It's unlikely that the Purdue Boilermakers had a strength and conditioning program in 1932. But that certainly didn't mean that the players were not strong or conditioned. Looking at the team photo, it's evident that many of the players grew up doing "chores" (as Wooden did); probably on the family farm. The picture reveals some pretty sturdy legs, and deltoids that experienced some serious work. They maybe didn't lift weights, but many of them 'worked' moving weight... and if they were on a farm... double-days.

It's pretty impressive what the manual labor of the day did for many of their physiques. Imagine if they had the training (not the namby-pamby stuff) and facility resources (although maybe the luxury is part of the problem) we have today, with the work ethic of yesterday.

Wooden in high school without a bar, bench, dumbbells, or TRX

AS

Eyal Lederman Interview

I briefly mentioned the work of Eyal Lederman in my presentation regarding the opposing viewpoints on "core stability". Lederman certainly hasn't hesitated to challenge many of the common manual and physical training/therapy methods.

Mythical Methods?
More Mythical Methods?

This interview will almost certainly stir the pot.



I would say Lederman is very much a pragmatist. While I think there is a bit more of a middle ground with regards to movement standards in high performance arenas (than 'absolutely' what Lederman suggests), I agree with much of what he has to say.

"Overload, exposure (frequency), and specificity" as Eyal states, is the requirement to make change... which many of the "corrective" methods (and sadly, some folks ideas of actual training) seem to miss.

I also like his points on motor control, the importance of task-oriented activities, and that the body is robust with 'reserves' to deal with so-called imperfections and injuries. The body has millions of years of evolution behind it, and my opinion has the ability to self-organize without always needing isolated intervention (just desire and good coaching) - meaning compensations may not be exactly so, but simply beautifully functional adaptations.

Either way, I recommend watching the video (and reading his papers).

AS

*Thanks to Joe Przytula for pointing out this video to me. Video courtesy of Dean Griffiths' youtube page.

Small words, big meaning

When I first started in collegiate strength and conditioning, one of the unique things I noticed was after every workout, many of the women's soccer players would thank me. It kind of caught me off guard at first, as I had never been thanked by an athlete after having just pushed them through some pretty physically demanding work. I also, as an athlete, had never really thought to thank a coach post-workout or practice (maybe after the season, but never during)... yet, the more I think about it, however small it is, the simple gesture can go a long ways.

Right now, I specifically know each athlete who genuinely shows their appreciation for your help. And I know that when I am coaching those particular athletes, I consciously up my coaching 'game'. Reflecting, I also realize I subconsciously elevate my coaching performance because of the strong sense of reciprocity I feel from these particular athletes. I've noticed there's great power in reciprocity.

This is just one of the many lessons that a few of the athletes I've worked with have taught me.

Now I try to pass this show of appreciation on to my children. I make sure to have them thank their teachers, swimming instructors, coaches, or anyone else that assists them in even the smallest of situations... and to make sure they know why they are thanking them.

I hope to convey to them the importance of letting their coaches, teachers, and supervisors know that their efforts in helping and caring for them are recognized. And, that they (my children) should be grateful to all people who are helping support their efforts.

There's no such thing as a self-made man or woman.

AS

Quality Control Coaching (2)

This is the second talk I gave at the Sanford Power Strength and Conditioning Clinic. A special thanks to their (Sanford Power) director Randy Martin for inviting me to give 2 presentations and a practical session.

I really enjoyed giving both of my presentations, but this one below was my favorite because I feel the pedagogy side of coaching is where training is made, or broken. I also see coaching pedagogy as severely lacking in the athletic development profession (in my opinion, and at least here in the U.S.), so I felt I would give my my take on it.

I have a teaching degree in physical education (I've blogged about some of my background in it before) and I recommend for any aspiring coach to get a degree in physical education; especially from a reputable program that puts students through the rigor as far as requiring the lesson planning, but specifically having to actually teach elementary, middle, and high school students, along with the final semester of 'student teaching'. In my undergrad program, we spent a few semesters teaching at local schools, and were graded by not only our instructor, but our peers... along with being filmed for us to review. At least at the time, I thought it was pretty demanding, but am so thankful to have been challenged to teach to a high level.

It's my opinion that the exercise physiology and mechanics is the easy part, and it's the attempt to communicate the methods and truly teach that is the ultimate difference maker. Having been in coaching for a few years now, I continually see the need for a teacher education background, because regardless of how much you know about what you are trying to do, it only matters if it is learned by the athletes.

The second half of the talk below is about being fully present when coaching - paying attention to the smallest of details; things that the athletes or no other person would likely see. From getting to know your athletes to them getting to know you, and the ability to decipher subtleties like that of a very in-tune mother and her awareness of her own child. As you will see, I also put a high premium on the warm-up and have the opinion that a quality and accurate warm-up is the best path to post-workout and inter-workout recovery (something to think about), and some of the different things I watch for throughout the warm-up component. Along with that, I also touched on how I try to instill an increased self-awareness in to the athletes; something I think is paramount of all that I do.

I finished up with how I try to evaluate myself, and how I approach each training session - just as I am trying to get athletes to improve their abilities and skills, so am I.

The following old blog posts do explain some of the concepts in the slides:
Physical Education 101
Quality Control Coaching
Warming up



I understand without audio it is hard to convey the entire message, so as with the other presentation slides please post any questions in the comments below.

AS

Inquiry of the status quo

This past month I was fortunate enough to be asked to present at two different local conferences. Below is one of the presentations I gave, taking a critical look at some of the more popular methods, systems, and claims on the current landscape. Basically, the presentation was loaded with questions I have, and hoped to convey to the audience. I don't have a vendetta for anyone or anything, just a desire for free thinking and reality.

Throughout the presentation I was adamantly clear when I was interjecting my opinion, and was certain to not leave anything 'off the table'; myself and my philosophy of training too. The summation of my message was how I try to exercise logic and reason.

Maybe certain movement screens, corrective exercises, prehabilitation, dietary recommendations, methods, and systems really are flawless and are the panacea (I doubt it). But if I am never asking any tough questions, and just turning a blind eye, I would say I am awfully credulous, and would likely be struggling to navigate my way... compass-less.



Please post any questions in the comments below. I also have a list of references that went with this presentation that I would be more than happy to share.

AS