Today we are out on the turf field and working on our 40 yard sprints primarily. It is also the first time I will let the players run all out. I like to give them a week of training under their belt before they do, so I’m more comfortable doing it. Years ago I let Takeo Spikes sprint on the first day he arrived, and he strained his hamstring. Since then, I don’t take it for granted that the kids are prepared to run.
The guys all ran well, but it was very clear that none of them except the athletes who have trained with us before really knew the technique of the forty. What I usually do is divide the forty into three parts so that they have three phases to perform in. Then we give them a specific technique to perform in each phase. On the first 40 we count the strides to understand better the stride length compared to the height of the athlete. Turns out that the player taking the most strides to complete a 40 was Larry…oops that is not the way it’s supposed to work, seeing that he is one of the taller guys.
The first day 40s are great 'cause we get the greatest single day improvements. Most football players will just get up and start running. So today we worked on “pushing” out the blocks for the first phase. This way the guys create the most momentum and are in the correct position for the second phase. I won’t post the guys times today, but I will say they were very good for the first day, and pretty much dead on with what the kids' junior day times were.
Lorenzo Alexander made a cameo visit today and checked out the new young talent. His prodigy, offensive linemen, Ron Jackson, is an arena league baller who Zo has high hopes for. They have been working together for the past two years in the off season. By the way Ron is the best conditioned athlete in the group. Surprise, surprise. ZO didn’t come alone - he came with beautiful wife Manjanique and new baby girl Zoie.
No comments:
Post a Comment