Mobility is the trendy item of the moment and it looks like the usual suspects of sports performance are at it again at your expense. In efforts to stay cutting edge they share new progressions, foreign exercises stolen from PT, misinterpretation of basic research, or unfortunately original moronic epiphanies. The prime example is dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. Well people the foot has over 30 j [...]

Again I am very conservative for doctrine so here goes about locomotion. Instead of puking Shirley Sahrmann into the bird beaks I will comment on what I agree with instead of just rehashing a book that anyone can read from Amazon I will get into gait again as my Guy Drut video created more confusion than answers. First the Psoas needs to be reviewed from an engineering, embryology, evolutionary, [...]

"This is a difficult question to answer in this format for what folks mean by intensive, extensive and low intensity work varies. I have seen very consistent results from programs that do intensive and extensive work as classically described. I do things that I consider to hit both realms albeit not purely classical in design. For example, we do a lot of 100m "up-backs" in the early training ph [...]

Foot splay...we've all seen it....it's when the feet 'splay' out to the side. Otherwise known as duck feet or eversion for those of you who are anatomically minded. Many people see it as a major problem that should be fixed at all costs. Others don't see the point. The question for me lies in whether this is in fact something that can be corrected. There's no doubt that an everted foot sets [...]

I was recently asked to contribute to the "Ask Anything" column in Maxim magazine. In this front-of-the-magazine section, Maxim solicits random questions from readers, thenconsult "real experts for actual, scientific answers." I was asked to answer the question why so many gifted athletes are pigeon-toed? Here's my answer (and a special thanks to CFKA for the ball analogies):While there†[...]

On my way back from Sarasota today I came up with a list of the top ten myths I hear about sprinting mechanics. Check it out and let me know what I left off. The elbow angle must stay at 90 degrees. Who came up with this? What’s the rationale? What’s the benefit? Ask someone to provide answers to those questions next time you hear that ridiculous idea. Not only is it not beneficial, it [...]

Barry A. Stockbrugger, MSc., CSCS, CEP wrote the following: I have been working with a University women's volleyball team for some time now (approx. 5 yrs). I use a functional approach to their training and have had quite good success over the years. Recently, 4 of our players attended a National U21 camp where they stood out as being the most fit group there. As part of the camp they had ses [...]

Yesterday I was able to meet with Dr. Peter Weyand of Rice University. It was really interesting getting to talk to him directly rather that depending on someone else’s interpretation of his ideas. After talking to him it was clear me that he and Ralph Mann were essentially saying the same thing in regard the importance of ground contact time. He also clarified his position on running techni [...]

If you can’t squat then don’t squat. Do not do stupid enabling stuff that looks like a similar movement but does not solve the root of the problem. One of the biggest problems I see today with virtually every athlete under 30 in the inability to squat without their heels coming off the ground. Much of this comes from the amount of sitting they do and the dress shoes they wear with elev [...]

There was a bit of a misunderstanding in my post on details in yesterday’s blog. Dorsiflexion occurs after toe off. I strongly believe it NOT something you have to coach or make the athlete consciously aware of. Dorsiflexion will happen if the foot strike into the ground is correct. As far as I am concerned the attempt to cue and coach dorsiflexion is another case of over analysis. It has bee [...]