Random Resources

INTERNETThere is a site that I was told about a while back that basically has me listening, watching, and reading everything it has to offer. The Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre. This has some great articles from many of the greatest minds in the industry like Verkhoshansky, Viru, Zatsiorsky, and Pfaff just to name a few. Much of it is free articles and podcast as well as some amazing videos well worth the money. I urge anyone to check it out for some serious research and programming from every realm of performance enhancement!!

LITERATUREA book that has been around for a bit that I continuously find myself looking back at is Running by Frans Bosch. Bosch has great insight on many aspects in developing, cueing, and training anyone who runs. He is of course a track coach but much of what he has to say can easily be related to any athlete who makes a living on their feet. Especially his work with plyometrics and observation are priceless.

NUTRITIONThe latest from Michael Pollan, Food Rules, is a great gift idea for the health conscious or someone you know that is trying to eat more clean. It is split up into simple sections and does great job at taking simple concepts that often are confused into complexity by the media. Even for those of you who consider themselves having a strong grasp on their stomach my find some of his outlooks as a reminder of some obvious things you are neglecting.

Random almost Weekend Post

Today marks the day that my short get away form the rain and snow ends. I leave California for Iowa in the hours to come. I did get some quality relaxing in and experienced some great scenery and enjoyed working out outside for once and seeing green plants instead of the white desert of snow.

I did get my copy of Mike Boyle's new book Advances in Functional Strength Training. This couldn't have come at a better time when I needed something to read on my 3 hour flight. Needless to say I missed the LA lights on my landing because I was so glued to this book. Although a lot of it is material I have read or heard him speak about, it is extremely convenient to have it in one resource.

The best part about many of his methods and in some cases theories is that they are backed with empirical evidence and quality science. What I like the most about Coach Boyle's work is that he takes either the information that you get from PT's or the scientist and finds ways to implement that with large groups. It is one thing when you are training individuals or small groups but when you have large groups or teams, time is of the essence and finding ways to be practical and logical are a must.

Also got the opportunity to workout at the legendary muscle beach in Venice. It was fun, probably wont do it again but at least I can say now that I have? It was funny to get glances from fellow lifters (who were oiled up and in speedos) while I did 1 leg RDL's, Hip thrust, and full back squats. I then made my way to the beach for some position specific sprints and a cool down. All in all it was a great break but am looking forward to getting back to train the teams and the start of Spring Football.

Favorites of 09

Looking back over this last year there have been some great articles written, new books released, and amazing DVD’s made. There is so much great information at your hands that it seems like once I am putting something down I’m picking up something new. Some keys to helping me retain information and staying on track with continuing education is switching up content subject, watch a DVD seminar as opposed to reading, and throw in a leadership or non fitness book into the mix. Here are a top three from various subjects that I felt helped me a great deal or though were interesting.

Sports/Fitness
1. Adaptation in Sports Training by Atko Viru
(The Science behind pretty much every training effect that occurs in the body…simply Amazing)
2. The Athletes Shoulder by James R. Andrews, Kevin E. Wilk, and Michael M. Reinold
(Still at this one but can already tell it is going to be a go to book for very very long time!)
3. Block Periodization by Vladimir Issurin and Michael Yessis
(One of my favorite books when it comes to program design and Eastern Euro methods)

Articles
1. Planning Strength Training by Mladen Jovanovic
(Overviews many great strategies such as auto regulation, design, and periodization)
2. Dispelling the Glute Myth by Bret Contreras
(Definitely one of the more popular articles with some great ideas and research)
3. Adaptation to Physical Load and Reserve Capacity of the Organism- Stages of adaptation By Vladimir Borisovich
(Lies out general overview of many bodily adaptations to exercise and conditioning)

DVD
1. Assesses and Correct by Mike Robertson, Bill Hartman, and Eric Cressey
(Watched the filming of this and can say that it is CRAZY comprehensive)
2. Bioenergetic Sequencing in the dev. of sport form by James Smith
(Lays out energy systems requirements behind his methodology for football)
3. Functional Strength Coach 3.0 by Mike Boyle
(Full of great methods, practices, and great real life training modalities)

Non-Fitness Related
1. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
(Everyone whom I have recommended this book loves it as well)
2. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
(Follows a great man in a glorified position. Filled with knowledge, quotes, and advice)
3. Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx
(Shows passion with a purpose when mentors are at their best)

2009 was a great year for quality reading, watching, and listening and I’m sure 2010 will bring even more with regards to all of this. Already looking forward to many great authors as new release dates are announced every week for great material.

Book Reviews

There are a couple of books that I have read recently that I really thought were educating as well as inspiring. It doesn't take me too long to find a great book to read, I usually enjoy most genre so here are some books from training to fiction that I think people should check out.

Transfer of Training in Sports
By: Dr. Anatoliy P. Dondarchuk, Translated by Michael Yessis
-This text is great at representing the importance of the training process and how perfection of a given discipline or sport skill is where focus should be set. Often times coaches and athletes get wrapped up in measuring a certain lifts increase as a marker of sports improvement, a heavy power lifting influence. Though this should be a goal, there is yet to be a lift where you can say that as the lift increases, performance does as well.
-This book is full of data and results from numerous athletes worldwide. Based of this data he shows where the greatest transfer occurs in regards to a particular means of training. Whats great is with each table he gives observations of which exercises are most transferable.
-Overall this book was pretty good. I found myself re-reading a few paragraphs due to a lot of syntax complications and so forth.
Season of Life By: Jeffrey Marx
-Author Marx, gives a glimpse of his life as he was a ex-water boy for the Colts. One of the most memorable players while there was Joe Ehrmann, who was a little different than most typical NFL guys. Joe was often less concerned about tackling technique and more about lessons learned off the field. Marx follows the high school football team Joe coaches, providing the kids with valuable and priceless lessons. These lessons eventually influence the author who ends up being inspired enough to reunite with his father.
-This book does an incredible job at making you realize how important things can be overshadowed in the midst of fame, success, and everyday life. Marx gives a great insight on Joe "Building Men For Others" which can be utilized no matter what profession you are in. I picked out several incredible leadership qualities and found it very entertaining as well.

What You should be reading: Student Edition

As a student in the S&C field I am fairly familiar with some great, good, and some books that are a waste of time. I recently got done rearranging my room and when i got to my books it made me think which ones have helped me get to where I am today and which ones I could have done without. So here is a list of a few books that I think students must read if they are serious about being bad ass coaches.
Must Read/Watch:
Science and Practice of Sports Training-Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky
Building the Efficient Athlete-Mike Robertson and Eric Cressey
Core Performance- Mark Verstegen
Men's Health Power Training- Dos Remidios
Muscles Testing and Function- Kendall
Block Periodization- Vladimir Issurin
Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Syndromes-Sahrmann
Anatomy Trains- Thomas Myers
+ Many more....
Some things to Avoid:
Books with titles that sound like advertisement
Authors who don't train anybody or never have!!
If they promise something too good to be true
Celebrity Books
Books who don't supply references

These should be a good start. there are many more that have helped me develop my skills up until now and some I am looking forward to reading in the future which I will let you know in future reviews how much I enjoyed them!