: Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:14 am  

Pie Eyed wrote:

Brett.

It's all about functional strength.

The guy who lifts the heaviest weights in any gym is generalyy regarded as the strongest.

However, ask him how many pull-ups or chin-ups he can do on a bar and most of these guys will struggle.

Pit them against a climber, whose main strength lies in low-bulk, "sinewy" strength and the smaller man will win every time.

For the same reason, we don't want our players to simply be the strongest, otherwise you'd have a team full of Mariusz Pudzianowski's.

They'd be strong, but NOT quick, NOT mobile, NOT able to do 90% of their job.

They need the RIGHT strength for the job - That means both the right amount and the right type.

You are getting confused here Pie Eyed,


The pullups analogy is a bad one. e.g. Take a 23stone prop who couldn't achieve one pullup and pit him against a 11 stone guy who can do 100. Who is going to come off worse?

Tbh if our front row were the same build as Pudzianwhatshisface then I wouldn't be unhappy!

There is a trade off ofc between weight and the ability to run all day. That applies to muscle and fat, but that's not the point being made.

Jonh's point ( I think) was that a foundation of "basic strength" is best when it's "topped up" with exercises that better simulate the specific demands of a game of RL.

I would argue whilst that is true to an extent, I would rather focus on the effort of the individual and if that effort was directed into "basic" exercises, then so be it.

: Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:34 am  

XBrettKennyX wrote:

You are getting confused here Pie Eyed,


The pullups analogy is a bad one. e.g. Take a 23stone prop who couldn't achieve one pullup and pit him against a 11 stone guy who can do 100. Who is going to come off worse?

Tbh if our front row were the same build as Pudzianwhatshisface then I wouldn't be unhappy!

There is a trade off ofc between weight and the ability to run all day. That applies to muscle and fat, but that's not the point being made.

Jonh's point ( I think) was that a foundation of "basic strength" is best when it's "topped up" with exercises that better simulate the specific demands of a game of RL.

I would argue whilst that is true to an extent, I would rather focus on the effort of the individual and if that effort was directed into "basic" exercises, then so be it.

Sadly with basic non specific exercises you will see much more instances of injury. A Conditioning Coach has to mix the art of coaching with scientific knowledge, the exercises used were not complex movements, so there is no reason we should not cover both bases.

The only really complex movements would be the Olympic lifts but at first team level all the players technique should be bang on the money now (if the previous guys have done anything like more than the most basic of jobs.)

With the strength exercises used that i highlighted using individual segmental strength you are aiding in producing sport specific strength which in turn ensures it is much easier to convert to sport specific power which is the ultimate goal.

So while I agree work ethic is crucial there is no reason why we should not give them the best possible scientifically proven training in the prep for the season.

: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:41 am  

the hard regime has already kicked in - apparently this week was optional which explains why not many of them were in Total fitness yesterday , plus Sam Tommy are excluded due to four nations commitments and some on holidays .

The official training start date is next Mon and apparently they will be in six days a week!! Unlike 4 last year. It all sounds good. There regular jolly to Lanzarote is possible cancelled to!!

: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:59 am  

I read that Lockers and Coley has turned in a week early which doesn't really suprise me..................wonder if Big Karl and Feka showed their faces?

: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:18 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I read that Lockers and Coley has turned in a week early which doesn't really suprise me..................wonder if Big Karl and Feka showed their faces?

I think those two will be spending there last days of freedom driving between the all you can eat chineese near the stadium and the one in town!

Its gonna be like "run fat boy run!" and then feka wheezing after about 5 mins coughing up his last bin lid of chow mein!

: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:14 am  

I had heard most of the young lads, carmont, coley, lockers, amos and paaat have turned in a week early. no fielden or gleeson. Feka, piggy still on holiday. Piggy has just got married to be fair to him.

: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:34 am  

I personally don't judge players for not turning in a week early. Sure it impressive by those that do but at the end of the day its a very long, tough season. Players do need a break especially if they've been carrying niggling injuries.

: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:35 am  

I think Fielden and Glesson have had ops not 100% sure

: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:54 am  

wigan_knight wrote:

I think Fielden and Glesson have had ops not 100% sure

Fielden certainly has (on his feet), not sure about Gleeson.

: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:00 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Fielden certainly has (on his feet), not sure about Gleeson.

ah well fair enough. as long as everyones there next week i suppose this optional week is not that important.