QUOTE "THE WEAKNESSES AND GOALS DETERMINE THE EXERCISES"

This quote is from coolcolj. He is one of many people that are doing interesting strength and conditioning research throughout the U.S. In the OC there are more and more companies that are poping up that use a template approach to developing athletes. What I mean by that, is they have a specific protocol regardless of what the weaknesses and goals are for each athlete. For example, if you have two football players, athlete "A" who is 5'8" 220 pounds versus athlete "B" who is 6'1" and 165 pounds, you can't train them the same. Lets say they both play the offensive line. Even with that in mind, you still shouldn't train them the same. You will here many knowledgeable coaches complain about this extensively. My flexibility series and the tests I cover expose some of the shortcomings that cookie cutter programs have. Lets examine the pros and cons of this.
In a high school setting, the amount of work necessary to develop athletes is astronomical, especially in football. I do have sheets for my players, that covers what they are supposed to do for a weeks time. Do they follow the exercises and numbers is an entirely different matter. I have to be a little of a staff sergeant at times, but when they see the progress they make, they are happy. I do individualize certain aspects of their programs because of injuries or experience. I had a player hurt his shoulder water skiing this weekend, so I had to adlib on the spot. He can incline bench, but can't flat bench. I use certain exercise like the Bulgarian split squat, where certain goals have to be reached before the athlete is allowed to progress to the next level. It creates a little competition and motivates kids to do better. But I still can't understand why an athlete or parent would want to send their kid to an individual who uses the same protocol for all of his athletes.
Unfortunately this is the route that many people are taking. I usually use simple questions to see if a coach is knowledgeable. Ask the coach what they think of Charlie Francis. He is one of the best linear speed development coaches there ever was. Minimizing injuries and injury recovery, especially related to athletes competing in the 100 meters is his forte. He was one of the first coaches to expound the theory that you have to type of running days. I am oversimplifying this for brevity sake so please be patient. The first type is a speed day. This is when the athlete is given a specific volume, specific intensity, with specific recovery time. The other running day is a form day. This is when the athlete runs no faster than 75% of max speed (the intensity), with a specific volume, with specific recovery times. If you notice, no running is done between 75% to 90%. This is saved for the long distance guys. There are many other factors, but their are so many hours in a day. If a coach has never heard of him, well where have you been.
There are strength coaches like Louie Simmons that do extensive work in powerlifting, and all levels of strength training in football and many other sports. He has given much focus to the box squat, which I have previously spoken about. Again, if you haven't heard of him, where are you?
Good coaches will look outside of their little nest to learn. When they do, they realize the gauntlet of approaches that have a viable use when training their athletes. Another words, get out there and learn. If you are looking for a trainer or coach, ask them who has influenced them, and that should give you a good idea of what they truly know. Thanks again to coolcolj. Any questions can be sent to acudave@yahoo.com.