Michigan State University Football Strength & Conditioning Clinic
I just got back from speaking at the Michigan State Clinic and I have to tell you it was a great event. I got to see some the coaches that inspired me to follow my dream of becoming a strength and conditioning coach when I started in the field 15 years ago.
Thank you to Coach Ken Mannie and Mike Vorkapich for allowing me the opportunity to speak at their coaches clinic. As well, a thank you goes out to Mike Richardson of Power Lift for a great dinner on Friday night.
The clinic had some outstanding speakers and content. I personally spoke on Organizing Your Training Sessions and the benefits of being structured to allow for more organizined and consistent workouts. The overall topic discussed included steps to success, challenges, understanding your audience, goal setting, session structure, session breakdown, and current research on training youth athletes.
Dr. Ken Leistner spoke on Thoughts on Strength Training. This was an outstanding presentation on the history of Weightlifing, Powerlifting and Strength Training and the different types of exercises utilized with these different types of methodologies. He spoke on the importance of training the neck, upper back, mid-back, erector spine and low back to avoid serious cervical spine injuries, which have been on the rise in the last few years. Dr. Ken is a great speaker who makes his presentations very thought provoking due to his experience based knowledge, but humurous and fun, so there is never a dull moment. if you ever have the opportunity to hear him speak, I highly recommend it. He will be speaking at the University of Florida Strength and Conditioning Coaches Clinic March 6-7, 2009.
Coach Mike Gittleson has some great content on linear progressions, rules of strength training, rules of engagement, the repetition and the molecular response to training. Coach Gittleson and Keith Barr have written a very in-depth article in Peak Performance titled Maximizing Strength - Time To Tear Up The Old Rule Book? This article highlights what molecular exercise physiologist have identified as the key regulator of muscle protein synthesis after strength training. What the article explains is that the activity of the protein is directly related to the intensity of the training session and over time to the increase in muscle size and strength. So in other words, the harder you work the more you stimulate protein synthesis and the ability to gain size and strength. As always, Coach Gittleson making things simple and easy to understand. He is also working with Rogers Athletic in designing some great pieces of strength training equipment. Keep an eye out for their up and coming Neck-Shrug Piece. This piece is lights out.
Jim Kielbaso of Total Performance spoke about Football Agility and Movement Training. Jim broke down his presentation into several components that would help any coach implement a thorough agility based program. The componenets included Uses for Agility Training, Athletic Abilities vs. Sports Skills, General, Lead Up & Specific drills, Open vs. Closed Loop Feed back, Skill Aquisition and Sports Specificity. Its always smart to be reminded of the benefits of understanding Skill Aquisition and how movement should be introduced. How the nervous systems begins to learn firing patterns and how motor patterns get formed after consistent practice. Jim wrote a very insightful book called Speed & Agility Revolution: Movement Training for Athletic Success that you should pick up if you are interested in imporving your athletes or teams movement efficiency.
Ted Lambrinides and Coach Mannie had a weightroom presentation on practical exercises to improve strength and power in athletes. Ted described and presented some drills and exercises that can be included in a program with limited resources and equipment. Coach Mannie took "Traps" one of his walk-on football players that had recently earned a scholarship through a Squat to Press, PowerLift Hex Bar Deadlift, Pendulum Seated Squat Pro circuit. The whole workout was performed with flawless technique.
It's always nice to see how other coaches go about their business. This allows you to see where you are and what type of adjustments you can make to your own program.There are a lot of clinics and seminars in the coming months, so make sure that you learn something this winter.
