How to train a...

So, let me indulge in some more outward thinking via blogger.com

I doubt anyone will benefit from this silly little rant (s) but I will post a series of ideas on how to train athletes from various sports based on the little knowledge I have gained over my years in training to be an athlete and researching as well as learning from others. Let's call these writings an exercise, if you will. I want to explore the non-sport specific aspects of training in each discipline that will translate to the field or course.

I hope to cover:
-how to train a football player
-how to train a volleyball player
-how to train a baseball player
-how to train a basketball player
-how to train a rowing athlete

Today's blabber : How To Train a Soccer Player

First, I believe it is of prime importance that a soccer athlete not only contain exceptional speed, but also very quick foot speed as opposed to sheer ability to cover ground (especially avoiding a long striding type of athlete). Also, it is obvious that a soccer athlete must contain a very high level of cardiovascular health.
One thing I would like to add to that is the aspect of strength training that I am lead to believe is of a minor priority (based on the winky dinky physique of a typical soccer player).
If one were to combine a strong/explosive dynamic with quickness and endurance, then you'd have a soccer player of the new era. I mean, imagine two guys fighting for the ball with equal skill and quickness, but one of the guys is heavier, stronger, and wider...who's gonna get the ball? You do see these types of athletes in American football because it is part of the culture...not so much in soccer. But it is possible.

Of course, there lies a dilemma with adding muscle....more body mass, more effort for the heart, quicker rates of fatigue. That is nature. However, s closely monitored regimen of both cardiovascular training to correlate with rates of muscle growth could help over come that hurdle...just takes some more sweat.

Soccer players have amazing speed and quickness but need to possess the ability to run through a brick wall. There will be a new era of amazing athletes who will be able to do this and the skinny, frail framed athlete will stand no chance.

The Training-
I believe that majority of the weight training should involve light weights with fast/explosive repetitions. This will ensure the promotion of strength training coupled with maintaining the essential aspect of speed and mobility. The training should augment the essentials of the sports as opposed to inhibit them. So the result isn't a bug, muscle bound athlete. Rather, the result will be a lean player with muscles to exhibit his/her domination over you!

Power Cleans: Light yet explosive work with this popular olympic lift will provide amazing dividends for a soccer athlete. This will improve leg strength that will lead to more powerful running strides and faster rates of vertical leap to rech the head ball quicker than anyone else. Additionally, the full body exertion of this lift strengthens the athletes capacity for impact and explosive power. For the nature of soccer as a sport, the athletes should train with light weights and work on achieving very vicious rates of movement and execution.

Squats: With this amazing lift, the body is known to generate a lot of testosterone which is always good for building more muscle and explosive power. The isolation of the hamstrings and the butt will help the athletes gain much strength in their sprinting and leaping abilities. Also, when performed with light weights and fast repetitions, much benefit will go to the development of the performance of twitch fibers which help our bodies identify with explosive movement.

Bench Press: Light weights and fast twitch like repetitions will help the athlete get in touch with the explosiveness of his upper body. People say soccer is a sport that is not about the upper body but that is a lie...the upper when developed can serve as an amazing helper to your running and jumping abilities.

Pull ups/chin ups: For the same reason as the bench press. essential to balance out the strength of the upper body. The pull ups strengthen the lats muscles which are essential for muscle coiling involved with leaping and string movements.

leap frogs : this non-weight drill helps the player maximize his/her ability to cover ground and create strong and explosive athletic movements.

sprints: true, soccer is an endurance sport but training of the sprints will help the athlete gain an advantage in athletic plays such as chasing a ball down or covering a defender. An athlete who runs around all day isnt necessarily developing cat like reflexes which are essential in sports.

shuttle drill" this movement helps develop quick lateral quickness

side slides: kills the quads and hips and helps the athlete with more lateral quickness.


A soccer player of the new era:
quick
great endurance
great strength
great explosion
no wussi business.

more to follow....

3 year old Jonathan conducting to the 4th movement of Beethoven's 5th Sy...

Reason for us to always remember to tap into our childhood dreams and imaginations.
I can't begin to explain how beautiful this is.

So waking up in the morning, blaring Beethoven, and pretending to be a conductor in nothing but my underwear is not so crazy after all!

This is the most amazing thing I have seen in a very long time!

The Freaks of Nature

Lebron James

and



Mario Williams.


why?

Lebron, 6'8'', 250 lbs, outworldy abilities in the horiontal and vertical leaping abilities matched by no one.
Strong and becomes stronger as his pace quickens. Can sprint across the court in a blink of the eye and has lateral quickness that a football cornerback can be jealous of. Can get into sprint strides within one step and when his mind is on something...nothing will stop it.


Mario, 6'7'', 290 lbs, possess the speed of one 50 lbs lighter than him and boasts a 40 inch vertical. Heavy in weight yet low in body fat. Basically a walking stack of bricks. Has the strength of 10 average men put together. Say you have some one who is fast, quick, strong...well Mario is all of that AND hes bigger than you...



im going to the gym....