Building the Best Athletes! Step 1-Reality Training
3/15/08 2:00:56 PM
Posted By Tony Reynolds, MS, CSCS, YCS II

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So, what have 6+ years of higher education and thousands of dollars of “self study” taught me?

Optimal results are determined *not* by what scientists or anyone else says or believes…but by what reality reveals to us. What has reality revealed to me?
Simple…Many coaches design their programs off presumption, not reality!

Before you continue, I want you to watch this video

http://www.3dstrength.com/Sample1.html

This clip demonstrates an example of what I call” reality” training. Reality training involves focusing on training concepts that enhance the motor skills that underlie sport skill as it relates to an athlete’s requirements for success.

These motor skills don’t just include what I call vertical strength and power, rather strength that enhances lateral and multi directional movement aptitude, angular acceleration and deceleration, coordination, posture control, balance, perceptual skills, etc.

Don’t get me wrong. There is a time and a place for focusing on general strength and vertical loading…and a fair share of my athletes training time is dedicated to it. However, to optimize carry over, a portion of training time should be focused on developing things that will increase an athlete’s movement aptitude.

Here is a fact.

Strength gains are relative to the plane and direction for which they were trained.

You know this, I know this, everybody knows this.

You cannot expect to develop a strong upper back from doing the bench press. You cannot expect to develop lateral strength from a box squat alone. Why…different planes and different and directions. Your body will adapt in direct accordance to the challenges your impose upon it. Once again, adaptation is specific to plane of action and direction of force (among other things).

Now consider the typical strength training program in comparison to how athletes truly move on the court or field. Do you see a difference in both the common planes of action and directions of force?

It would be downright foolish to scrap such great exercises as the box squat, lunge, and Olympic lifts (for those of you who subscribe). However, it’s a simple fact the these exercises alone, regardless of how great they are, do not truly address the strength requirements for a dynamic multi-directional athlete.

Have a look at this clip one more time: http://www.3dstrength.com/Sample1.html.

I want you to notice some commonalities.

*First-Horizontal loading.

Horizontal loading is not just important. Its vital!

Why is it so crucial? Well, one word: MOMENTUM.

Almost everything an athlete does involves the forces of horizontal momentum. Although these forces could be vertically oriented, the typically are not. The reality of its is even 99.9 percent of vertical movement that does occur happens while moving in another direction.

So I feel comfortable stating that horizontal momentum is relatively omni-present.

So how do you train the body to cope with the horizontal forces of momentum encounter during sport? Horizontal loading!

*Second-Rotation.

Almost everything we do involves rotation. Simply analyze walking and you will discover that linear translation is the result of a lot of rotational actions. Most actions that don’t involve rotation still involve resistance to rotation.

An example would be a lineman throwing a block. More than likely their stance is offset causing rotation of the hips. Additionally their opponent is moving horizontally and trying to get around them. So they opponent is providing rotational and off center force.

These two factors result in a massive amount of torque being developed through the lineman’s torso. The body thus compensates by producing oppositional rotational forces.
The three exercises I showed you in the video are a simple but very effective example of things you can add to your athletes workout to better prepare them for sport.
These exercises are the product of hundreds of hours of studying the biomechanics of how athletes move. They were designed to develop strength that translates to improved movement aptitude and increased athleticism…Not just weight-room strength.

They encompass the key training principles that I have used to build some of the most powerful, most agile, and most successful athletes on the field and on the court!
In 3-D Strength Training I show you over 70 more exercises just like these that you can use with all of your athletes regardless of sport or position.
Here is what Patrick Beith says about 3-D Strength Training:

“3-D Strength Training is another quality and practical product by Tony Reynolds. Athletes in most sports experience forces during competition that are not met and trained in most resistance training programs. The dvd addresses this fundamental problem while giving great technical cues that are easy to follow so the beginner or advanced athlete can use this program. Tony provides training exercises that you can apply today to your workout regime. Athletes in any sport can benefit from this information.”

The 3-D Strength Training DVDs and 176 comprehensive training manual available for a full 25% discount until March 31st, 2008.

Take advantage by clicking here now:

www.3dstrength.com/Sample1.html

Stay Strong,
Tony