|
 While
many strength and conditioning coaches have their athletes perform
explosive strength training lifts and speed training with a barbell,
it is refreshing to discover a coach who has taken a more rational
approach and direction. Jim Kielbaso, former strength & conditioning
coach for the University of Detroit Mercy, now heads the Total
Performance Training Center in Wixom, Michigan (www.totalsportscomplex.com).
His athletes follow a general direction of intensive strength
training, but his focus on speed and agility is on human movement
and how that movement translates onto the playing field.
The movement training guidelines
presented in this unique book should be in the hands of every
skill coach and, apparently, read by strength and conditioning
coaches who are subjecting their athletes to dangerous strength
training practices in the belief that rapid movement with a barbell,
in unrelated movement patterns to actual sporting movements,
has a benefit. The value of a solid strength training program
is undeniable, but how that strength is translated on the field
is paramount. And this is where Mr. Kielbaso's book excels.
Speed & Agility Revolution
begins with a solid base and develops into more complex detail,
but with instruction so clear and logically reasoned that even
neophyte coaches will grasp the concepts and put them into practice
immediately. Chapter 1 begins with the foundations of speed and
agility, as it differentiates between open and closed skills,
as well as reaction time vs. response time (and the link between
mental awareness and anticipation, and rapidity and quality of
agility).
Chapter 2 deals with one of the
most important aspects of a fast athlete; that of sprint mechanics,
including stride length and stride frequency. Mr. Kielbaso explains
proper arm swing, movement of the elbows, hands, and wrists,
proper leg motion, knee drive, the different phases of foot strike
and toe-off, and pelvic positioning. These aspects then are tied
into proper modes of acceleration, as well as 18 common
problems in sprint mechanics and how to correct them. Also discussed
are the various speed-enhancement products (e.g., weight vests,
sleds, etc.), how they should be implemented and their drawbacks.
Proper footgear is addressed, with an emphasis on support and
how the shoe should bend and its resistance to excessive twisting.
Chapter 4 is an extension into
the mechanics of explosive starts, i.e., how to move quickly
from a dead stop position, such as the 3-point start, the standing
start, a general athletic position, and the moving start/transition
movement.
However, being fast is not enough.
Chapter 5 then delves into the aspect of agility, in putting
that speed to work, to achieve fluid movement. Discussed are
the fundamental phases of a change of direction, how to place
the feet and torso depending on directional change, creating
optimal force vectors, maintaining trunk control, agility when
making contact with a competitor, and offensive and defensive
agility.
Mr. Kielbaso ties the above factors
into various agility drills in Chapter 6, including the 2-line
teaching drill, basic angle cutting drills, zig zags, 4 corners,
3-cone movement change drill, X drill (and other 'letter' drills),
3-cone variations, diamond drill, the wheel, zing tao, ladder
drills, and many others. The value in these drills then are related
to actual movements in sports with an emphasis on football, although
key information is provided on how to implement the drills for
other multi-directional sports.
Some coaches who will want to
and should read this book may wonder how they can apply such
a vast array of information, and Mr. Kielbaso has taken care
of that aspect nicely. Included in the final chapter is a discussion
on program design and the various factors that must be considered,
such as goals/expectations, biomechanics of the sport, metabolic
requirements of the sport, movement-skill status, training status,
injuries, time investment, emotional/psychological factors, and
training environment. And besides many tips on program development,
the author then provides detailed sample training programs that
can be adapted or applied directly, including team workout, small-group
and individual workout for learning agility (for multi-directional
sports), a 40-yard dash workout, a 100-200 meter sprint workout,
an anaerobic-conditioning emphasis workout, a combine-training
workout, and various weekly training schedules that serve to
balance strength training with skill/speed/agility training.
Highly recommended, visit www.crewpress.com for ordering
details, and for free articles and seminar listings on the topic
of athletic training.
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