SPORT SPECIFIC TRAINING by Coach Jim Massaro
In today's sports industry you see ads for all types of training: "This will make you faster.," This will get you stronger." "More explosive.," "Guaranteed to out perform your opponent." and on an on. So the young athlete goes to the gym to help improve his or her sports performance. Or they go to their coach to seek help. The problem here is that there is too much bad information out there. Everyone is trying to help or trying to make a buck. And the only one who suffers is the athlete trying to get ready for the season.
In an age where competitive sports is at its highest level, you, the athlete, must be prepared for all the demands your sport will throw at you. There isn't a miracle plan that will take you to the next level, or a magic pill. It is hard consistent work in a time-tested workout regime. It requires a plan that is laid out for you, taking into account your fitness level, sport-specific skills, the sport and the position you play. As you are a unique individual, you are also a unique athlete. Never let yourself get lumped into the crowd.
When you start to train any program that you do, you will see improvement. Your body will respond to the stimulus that it is receiving and will go through its growth process. As a matter of fact, it will drink up all the stimulation and you'll be amazed at the results. But this is where it gets tricky. As a young athlete or you can and will get caught up in your newfound strength. But will this have a positive effect on your performance on the field? The answer is NO. You might be bigger and stronger, but how does that relate to your sport performance? Most athletes who win the weight room battles are second string. And after all that work, is that where you want to end up? After an off-season of busting your butt? I think not.
When I began lifting weights, it was common knowledge that if you wanted to be a big bencher, you benched, or a big squatter, you squatted. But that old theory never applied to the athlete. You, the athlete, must be able to move with power and fluidity all rolled into one single action. This will only be achieved through hard work and a sport-specific training program designed for you.
A program design should work on you strengths and weaknesses. It should resemble the waves in the ocean bringing you from bouts of high volume and high intensity to low volume and low intensity macrocycles. These macrocycles must contain your strength, speed, agility and sport skills. They must be a constant adaptation to your training. Programs must increase the volume of an athlete's training, ensure proper peaking for the sport, and increase mental and physical capacity. There is also an issue of rest and recovery which is one of the most important parts of the program. Without these two elements there will not be any improvement in your training. You are not a machine; but what you need to be is a highly trained athlete.
You are defined by what you play. Whether it is football, baseball, soccer, golf or any other sport, it is what you have chosen to participate in and become. It is time to decide what distinction you want to achieve in your sport. Do you just want to be someone playing a sport or would you rather be someone mastering the sport? The tools are out there for you to achieve all your goals. If you eat, live, and sleep for your sport, don't sell your dreams short by training like anyone else in the gym. Train to win. Train to be the player you deserve to be by training in a sport specific routine designed for you. Don't waste any more time in the gym. Start today on a bright new future in your athletics: if you play the sport, train for the sport.