Get Real
Some of the comments on squatting are absurd. The squat is a basic foundational exercise that is the cornerstone of any sound strength training program. It is not a ¼ squat it is a full squat – that is a snapshot of the whole movemnt. In my estimation this young lady has acceptable technique for where she is in her development. As far as getting under a bar – that is the muscle head way. We are integrating strength training with technical training to produce better volleyball athletes, therefore the sandbag is the most practical way to achieve this. It is not how much you lift that matters it is how much strength you can use! It is not about the exercise it is the concept.
posted by Vern Gambetta @ 7/09/2007 07:45:00 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
It seems like all reality" gets thrown out the window when people enter the gym.
Vern,
Unfortunately while a snapshot picture can paint a thousand words some folks need a movie to see the whole story for what you are doing with these developing high school athletes. Textbook perfect only happens at Lake Waubegon. Keep up the great work with real life people wanting to get better for the love of the game.
Mark Day
Here it is
#1. Squat...if you aren't going all the way down, then it isn't a squat. Sit back on your heels.
#2 Lunge...keep your torso upright by working the core...and knee over the toes.
#3. Just imagine if Babe Ruth..Ted Williams...Bobby Orr...Wayne Gretzky would have STRENGTH TRAIN. Babe Ruth may have hit 73 homers, Ted Williams would have hit .500 etc.
WHOOOWEEE..that is the mentality.
Did not know sports were played on the back of the heels!!
Did not know sports were played upright.!!!
TEECEE
Exceptional athletes! Some with career ending injuries. The point; sport is man made with man made rules.
Sometimes you need to be on your toes and sometimes you can sit back on your heels.
Sometimes you need to be on your toes and sometimes you can sit back on your heels....
and sometimes you end up there whether you want to be or not!
TEECEE, Your comments are worse than absurd. If in the weight room you must be on your heels does that it mean that you cannot be on your toes on the field? Weight training is a general stimulus which is what will build an appropriate strength. And no it does not mean that one needs to focus on more load. The mentality you talk of is that of a fool not a wise strength coach.
Vern, You are correct that the squat is a foundational exercise. Most athletes who train know what a squat is. And there are many good coaches who teach it well. Terms like muscle head etc. are just words used to take away the focus from the main issue. Weight training is at best a general stimulus for athletes in non lifting sports. It makes no difference if you are training volley ball, basket ball or baseball players to get stronger. No one said that the young lady has to use a lot of weight on a barbell and do several squats. Maybe she needs to learn to body weight squat keeping her heels on the ground and back neutral before any load? You asked about the validity of the technique earlier from that snapshot and now say it is part of a full squat. But it will be interesting to see how these girls squat full.
This is amazing all the comments about one picture. I looked at the picture and didn't think twice about anything...Her techinque, the phase of the training program, the application of the exercise and so forth, why? Because only Vern knows all this. We can only speculate.
I still say, no matter what is seen in any picture, until you know the whole story, negative comments are not warranted. If it was a 1/4 squat, there was a reason, if the heels came off the ground, there was a reason, if there was a sandbag on her back, there was a reason. Verns been doing this too long to miss the obvious guys.
AB
Nothing more absurd than strength coaches tell you that a squat...sitting back on your heel blah blah blah...is sport specific. Best is when trying to make an anology of a squat and basketball player on defensive slide.
TEE CEE
Post a Comment
<< Home