Wake Up - Call to Action

This will probably not be a popular post in certain quarters, I am going to challenge some people and hopefully make all of you think. This post is not a knee jerk response or impulsive, rather it is a culmination of my observations of what I see going on in the field today. It is also not an indictment, this is a challenge, a challenge to change and get better. There are many great professionals out there who are working hard to improve and get better, to all of you stay the course, get active and help define this field. To the other get off your butts, keep an open mind, learn, stop repeating the same experience over and over.

Here are some things that I have seen first hand that prompted me to write this:

Punter at school in SEC hurts his back while testing 1RM squats two days before the start of practice, he cannot punt for two weeks.

At another Division I school swimmers are made to power clean and back squat with weight – the swimmers have back problems.

I know Division I Track & Field coaches who will not let their athletes anywhere near a strength coach.

At one school all athletes in all sports are tested on the big three, regardless of sport demand.

At another school hockey goalkeepers are tested on bench press maximum reps with 185 pounds and then tested on twelve minute run.

I could go on with numerous examples, but hopefully this makes the point.

Here are some questions and statements meant to stimulate thought:

Is what you are doing based on an exercise or a method of exercise or is it principle based?

Are you creating athletes who are adapted to the weight room or are your creating adaptable athletes ready for all the demands of their sport?

Do you ever participate in or watch a whole training session/practice in a sport you are working with?

How is strength training integrated into skill development, technical and tactical development of the sports you are working with?

If your weight room was closed for repairs could you still train the athletes you work with?

Do the sport coaches you work with believe in, endorse and participate in what you do or do they tolerate it?

What is your job? Are you a coach or a weight room supervisor?

Does everyone you work with get the same program?

How many injuries to the athletes you work with can be traced to exercises or methods you are using?

Are you fit enough and proficient to demonstrate what you are teaching? Can you talk the talk and walk the walk?

If you do not want the trainer (ATC), Doctor or Physical Therapist telling you what to do, then what are you doing to be proactive and take command of the situation?

We need to wake up, stop trying to build Strength & Conditioning into a separate empire. We must recognize that out job is to help the coaches put the healthiest, athletically prepared athlete on the field. Strength and Conditioning is not an end unto itself, it is a means to an end. Remember it is the sport coaches whose job is on the line, not yours. All of us (myself included) need to take a close look at what we are doing and how we are doing it.