February 2017 Blog Posts (14)

Each year for have a theme that serves as a focal point for our presentations and discussions for that year. This year our theme is:

Making Connections to Foster Meaningful Change & Innovation…

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Regardless of what training method you subscribe to, at some point in time truths about human function have to be reconciled with in order to get sustained positive outcomes.  Now, we could try and circumvent the truth with all sorts of invented logic, but in the end the truth does rise to the top.  Here's the challenge, I either know and understand these truths or I don't.

Cell Theory: All structure…

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I often get asked, "what's the BEST strength & conditioning program for a (insert sport) player to follow?" My answer remains the same: It is nearly impossible to create ANY program of quality let alone a “perfect” program for someone (especially someone you've never met).  In order to do such a thing you need to know that person’s individual history: What are the athlete’s physical limitations?  Is he/she hyper-mobile and lacking stability or overly stiff and lacking mobility? (I'm…

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A number of years ago, I read an article about Vince Lombardi and his use of notepads.  According to the article, Coach Lombardi kept extensive notes on his thoughts, strategies, and offensive schemes.

Since then, I began work on creating my own version and I use mine everyday.  My notepad has evolved into a…

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I've been really fortunate in my career to have been around some very successful coaches and other professionals in my field and in life, too.  But, I've been around some not so good coaches, too.  Helping developing athletes is both a science and an art.  There's a tremendous amount of information that has to be considered I think to try and develop a successful "process."  

For me, I can't define one area of my experience…

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Here's a copy of a tool I am currently using to monitor training over the course of the year.  Now, there are some supplements to this tool, but it gives me at least a clear view of direction.  I want to be able to see the forest from the trees.  Don't get me wrong, the trees are important, but if I can't see…

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I am not talking about UCONN women’s basketball that just won their hundredth straight game or the New England Patriots. I am talking about two of the greatest athletes ever! Who are they? You do know them because you compete with them all day everyday. One is invisible but beats you every time the other is always underfoot, but because it is so familiar we fail to recognize it. I am talking about gravity and the…

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I see more gobbledygook and sciency stuff called “sports science” going on today that ever in my years as athlete and coach. Has anyone taken a step back and honestly assessed where we are going with all this? Everybody and anybody who administers a wellness survey or monitors some physiological function now calls themselves a sports scientist. Over the course of my career I have had the opportunity to work with…

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Training Environment

Execute a task or skill (learning)

Execute a task or skill correctly (practice)

Execute a task or skill correctly over and over again (experience/conditioning)



Performance Environment

Execute a task or skill (learning)

Execute a task or skill correctly (practice)

Execute a task or skill correctly over and over again (experience/conditioning)



What's the difference between the two environments? The context in which how the… Continue

For team sport athletes, how do I integrate team-training into the curriculum?



The health status of an athlete may be his/her most valuable commodity.



When was the last time my thought process was challenged?



Sports psychologist Dr. Ken Ravizza says, The ultimate goals is to teach athletes to “Learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”



Computer Innovator Guy Kawasaki says, “Don’t worry, be crappy.” Innovation involves growing and improving… Continue

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We could learn a lot from our friends in the military and those with NASA in regards to how we develop and monitor human systems within the athletic population.  Personally, I would do away with sports strength and conditioning departments, that's a dated system with roots in 1950s Russian training.  One that was founded on a system based in the sport of weightlifting and that was deceptively full of scientific cheating methods.…

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I am looking to begin speed camps for youth and high school athletes with my co-founder of our company Pack Strength and Performance. We are currently getting the final details set for our website/logo and mission statement. We plan on reaching out to the local high school teams to get there athletes on board. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get off the ground and any pointers with how our workouts should go? any help would be much appreciated