Specificity, don't take it for granted.

( General Physical Preparedness) or GPP... What Does it mean? Well according to one of the greatest minds in the iron game history, Dr. Mel Siff, it is a preparatory phase of training that, "…is intended to provide balanced physical conditioning in endurance, strength, speed, flexibility and other basic factors of fitness.


Now, I fancy myself as one of the most GPP'd people I know. The type of training that I employ allows me to have unlimited cardio, flexibility and good strength numbers. (No I won't post, but if you are interested, I will tell you.) haha

With that said, I found myself on the Gridiron last Friday for a brutal 3 hour session of practice and scrimmage at the U of T dome, complete with AstroTurf/Feild Turf.

Now, as I was forced to play Offense and Defense, I learned really quickly, that I have been neglecting lateral work all winter. Probably due to the fact that I am no longer in a private gym, where we had agility ladders and could work on dynamic lateral runs.

I found that I could run fast, in a straight line. Asked to go sideways, I was a mess.

I found out as well that I had been neglecting"Starts"..my off the line explosion was awful.

When I got to full speed, I was bouncy and quick ( as I was asked to continulousy run fly patterns)

So, what does this tell me?

Cardio - Great
Top Speed - Great
Starts - Awful
Side to Side Agility - Horrendous.

Point being, you can run all you want on a treadmill. Eventually you are going to have to focus on the skills you need for the given sport or goal.

Game speed, can only be improved "In -game" or at least on grass/turf/ice... whatever. And not on a treadmill.

Be specific.

If you want to get better/maintain skills of a sport, be sure to add it to your program in the offseason.


Saturday's workout

10 rounds of (Grab one db and don't put it down)
3 clean and press ( touch the floor and over your head) per side
6 KB swing
9 Plie Squats

Then

10 rounds
3 ballistic pushups
6 chin ups
9 box jumps

Then Back work

Power Cleans 3-3-3-1-1-1

Pulldowns 12-12-12-12

One Arm Rows 5-5-5-5-5

Face Pull/straight arm pullover combo 12-12-12-12

Machine Row 8-8-8-8

(yes, this was a great workout)