TOP BOOKS TO READ!

    Posted In: Sprints

        • Participant
          QUIKAZHELL on April 7, 2003 at 2:15 am #8317

          i just realized my college library has tons of books dealing with track,weight training and periodation.in an effort to learn and exapnad our horizons lets start a thread of books a track athlete/coach must read…..or your favorite books dealing with sprints/strength training….
          heres mine so far… remember i am young and have not read many books..

          1)”speedtrap” charlie francis”
          2)training for speed “charlie francis”
          3)chapters 3 and 4 in the USA coaching manual.. chapter 3 100 200 meters by curtis frye and chapter 4 400 meters by clyde hart

          i just took out “peaking when it counts” by william freeman … anyone ever read this? i was going to take out one of Bompas books but there are all 400 plus pages so i thought maybee freemans 100 page book will some it up pretty well since most of his sources are from tudor bompas books? is there any of Bompas books that are must reads tho? i was thinking maybee his strength training book?

        • Participant
          Kebba Tolbert on April 7, 2003 at 2:43 am #19471

          Bompa’s book (Theory and Methodology) is a must read. a trainign theory classic.

          Also,
          1) The mechanics of athletics – Dyson
          2) Strenth and Power in Sport – Komi
          3) Science and Practice of Strength Training – Zatsiorsky
          4) Training Theory – Matveyev
          5) Programming and Organization of Training – Verhoshansky
          6) Special Strength Training – Verhoshansky
          7) Track & Field – Schmolinsky

          Also stuff by Enoka, Schmidtbliecher, Verhoshansky, James Hay, Komi, Jess Jarver series (sprints, throws, hurdles, distance), and the old Soviet Sports Reviews and Track Technique

          hope that helps.

          –KT

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on April 7, 2003 at 10:10 am #19472

          I like Bompa's book (Theory and Methodology). I don't agree with a lot of it but I think it's a great starting point for learning training theory.

          My top books in no particular order would be:
          1) The Mechanics of Athletics by Dyson
          2) Training for Speed  by Francis
          3) Science and Practice of Strength Training by Zatsiorsky
          4) Training Theory by Matveyev
          5) Special Strength Training by Verhoshansky
          6) Track & Field by Schmolinsky
          7) Supertraining by Siff
          8) Facts and Falacies of Fitness by Siff
          9) Biomechanics of Sports Techniques by Hay
          10) The Anatomical and Mechanical Bases of Human Motion by Hay

          Kebba, it looks like we share a lot of the same "favorties." I guess great minds really do think alike 😀

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Participant
          hurdlelove on April 10, 2003 at 9:04 am #19473

          Had to chime in on this one. Mike glad you brought up the Supertraining book by Siff (RIP), great read.

          Also, have to add Science of speed and hurdling by Brent McFarlane.

          I agree with Kebba, Jess Jarver’s books are great.

          I’ve got a new one that many of you may or may not know, it’s not a scientific coaching book. Doesn’t deal with weights for running or technique for jumping but is a great help to the college coach who is continually stressed with all that he/she has to do (isn’t that all of us?). I Dare You by William Danforth is a great personal read.

        • Participant
          lumberjack on April 10, 2003 at 11:39 am #19474

          Some great titles have been listed so far. I would add a couple that I really enjoy:
          -> Anatomy of Movement – Calais-Germain
          – not a training book, but an amazing resource to understanding how the body works. Great for helping diagnose and treat injuries or technical deficiencies.
          -> The Preparation of High Class Sportsmen in Horizontal Jumps – Anatoly Golubstov
          – Very deep book

          I’ll have to try to find those Verhoshansky books somewhere. I’ve read many of his articles but didn’t know he had written any books. Does anyone know where I could find them?

        • Participant
          Kebba Tolbert on April 10, 2003 at 7:58 pm #19475

          [i]Originally posted by Lumberjack[/i]
          Some great titles have been listed so far. I would add a couple that I really enjoy:
          -> Anatomy of Movement – Calais-Germain
          – not a training book, but an amazing resource to understanding how the body works. Great for helping diagnose and treat injuries or technical deficiencies.
          -> The Preparation of High Class Sportsmen in Horizontal Jumps – Anatoly Golubstov
          – Very deep book

          I’ll have to try to find those Verhoshansky books somewhere. I’ve read many of his articles but didn’t know he had written any books. Does anyone know where I could find them?

          I’ve read that Golubstov book 2-3 times. When i first got it I couldn’t put it down. i’ll probably read it again this summer.

          the Anatomy of Movement is awesome… if you’re into that you might check out
          The Body Movable. A friend has a copy, i want to buy it, but it’s $100 so i’ll be waiting.
          go here:
          http://www.learningmethods.com/bodymove.htm

          re: Verhoshansky texts – i sent you an email.

        • Member
          100mgirl on October 31, 2003 at 8:45 pm #19476

          Hey to all….I am Cynthia and I am a newbie! But I also hear for plyometrics, a book called Plyometrics Training is good. This is coming from a PT I had a chat with last night at the gym.

          Peace!

        • Participant
          CoachKW on October 31, 2003 at 10:54 pm #19477

          Welcome to Elitetrack Cynthia. Read all that you can all over this web site, there is a ton of great knowledge in here!!

          Good luck

          😯

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on November 2, 2003 at 11:25 am #19478

          Cynthia, who is the author of Plyometrics Training? It sounds familiar but there are a ton of plyo books out there (both good and bad) and I'm not sure which one you're referring to.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Member
          100mgirl on November 2, 2003 at 8:40 pm #19479

          I don't remember his name but when I go back to the gym, I will ask. :dance:

        • Participant
          Carl Valle on November 2, 2003 at 9:14 pm #19480

          other suggestions..

          The Science of Winning

          Swimming Fastest

          The Swim Coaches Bible

          Training for Speed

          Peak when it counts 4th ed.

          as for crap books

          USATF coaches manual

          Any Book from Don Chu

        • Member
          400stud on November 3, 2003 at 12:36 am #19481

          I agree w/your crap books selection, Phoenix. USATF Manual is garbage. That was a waste of $25 for me.

        • Participant
          Jay Turner on November 3, 2003 at 12:49 am #19482

          Why, in your opinion, do you feel the USATF Manual was garbage 400Stud? Phoenix?

        • Participant
          pete on November 3, 2003 at 1:19 am #19483

          Does anyone know where I could get "Mechanics of Athletics"?

        • Participant
          Carl Valle on November 3, 2003 at 1:26 am #19484

          I feel that the information was obvious…nothing special or organized.

        • Participant
          pete on November 3, 2003 at 1:57 am #19485

          [i]Originally posted by Phoenix[/i]
          I feel that the information was obvious…nothing special or organized.

          Thanks for the reply Phoenix. I'll be interested to hear the rebuttals of the others.

        • Participant
          Jay Turner on November 6, 2003 at 12:19 am #19486

          [i]Originally posted by Phoenix[/i]
          I feel that the information was obvious…nothing special or organized.

          Oh ok, you're right about that. Most of the info I already knew, but that doesn't mean it was garbage from the viewpoint of a super novice (first time runner).

        • Participant
          pete on November 27, 2003 at 7:05 am #19487

          To put a little twist on this what books would forumites recommend to a young athlete training his/herself?

        • Participant
          Jay Turner on November 29, 2003 at 3:27 am #19488

          For my money "Peak When it Counts" would be a great choice.

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on April 10, 2006 at 10:44 pm #19489

          Since I've read quite a few books since I last posted here, I'd add to my list:

          1. Biomechanics in Sport- Zatsiorsky (Ed.)

          2. Anatomy Trains- Meyers

          3. Neuromechanics of Human Movement- Enoka

          4. Myofascial Pain & Dysfunction- Travell & Simmons

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Participant
          QUIKAZHELL on April 10, 2006 at 11:06 pm #19490

          I will add as well..

          *"Dinosaur Training" by Brooks Kubic

        • Participant
          flow on April 26, 2006 at 8:09 pm #19491

          HELL YAEAH!!
          since a friend of mine baught dinosaure traing,  he´s praktically not able to moove,  haha.
          take a weight with which you can do 8 squats,  and do 20! harharhar

        • Participant
          champion on May 2, 2006 at 9:22 pm #19492

          why were on the subject of books, has anybody ever read, "Run faster with Isometric training" Its by Larry Van Such.  Was curious if it was worth buying.  i guess it comes with resitance bands and everything

        • Participant
          kronik85 on May 20, 2006 at 8:35 pm #19493

          i have dinosaur bodyweight training on e-book format.  anyone interested in trading?

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on May 28, 2006 at 7:30 pm #19494

          why were on the subject of books, has anybody ever read, "Run faster with Isometric training" Its by Larry Van Such.  Was curious if it was worth buying.  i guess it comes with resitance bands and everything

          I've only heard terrible things about it. If the title is any indication I'd stay away.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Participant
          pzale8018 on May 29, 2006 at 9:39 pm #19495

          Agreed, the title of that book would make most people with working knowlegde of kinesiology cringe. 

          Isometric training is basically useless for any dynamic activity.  Training the muscles isometrically makes them stronger isometrically.  It will not however make them any stronger during a concentric or eccentric contraction.  Therefore it would have almost no practical benefit to running.

          the only place I MIGHT see a benefit would be in core training, but again, since running is a dynamic movement, those muscles should be trained to deal with the ever changing position of the body during the activity, not in a stable, static environment.

        • Participant
          QUIKAZHELL on May 30, 2006 at 4:43 am #19496

          Agreed, the title of that book would make most people with working knowlegde of kinesiology cringe.

          Isometric training is basically useless for any dynamic activity. Training the muscles isometrically makes them stronger isometrically. It will not however make them any stronger during a concentric or eccentric contraction. Therefore it would have almost no practical benefit to running.

          the only place I MIGHT see a benefit would be in core training, but again, since running is a dynamic movement, those muscles should be trained to deal with the ever changing position of the body during the activity, not in a stable, static environment.

          Paul,
          That is correct.
          Studies actually show there is generally a 15 degree carryover in either direction
          Again useless for the most part.

        • Participant
          edderic on May 30, 2006 at 9:40 pm #19497

          Anyone wanna trade?  I have a 39.99 Vertical Jump Development Bible by Kelly Baggett… Good stuff.
          Circa 150 pages.  No Bull.

        • Participant
          utfootball4 on May 30, 2006 at 9:43 pm #19498

          Anyone wanna trade? I have a 39.99 Vertical Jump Development Bible by Kelly Baggett… Good stuff.
          Circa 150 pages. No Bull.

          Circa 150 pages. No Bull.  whats that

        • Member
          xelades on May 17, 2008 at 12:59 pm #69834

          S

          -> The Preparation of High Class Sportsmen in Horizontal Jumps – Anatoly Golubstov
          – Very deep book

          excuse me, I tried to find this book, where is possibile to purchase it?
          thanks

        • Member
          Asilje on May 23, 2008 at 1:46 pm #69947

          Hi. I have a similar question: Does anyone have suggestions where to buy the books by Charlie Francis (Training for speed/Speed trap)? Any forum member interested in selling? 😉

        • Member
          xelades on May 23, 2008 at 1:52 pm #69948

          Hi. I have a similar question: Does anyone have suggestions where to buy the books by Charlie Francis (Training for speed/Speed trap)? Any forum member interested in selling? 😉

          but are you searching the hardcover book? if you are interesting only for reading them you can purchase the e-book version on CF’s site.

        • Member
          Asilje on May 23, 2008 at 2:28 pm #69949

          Oh thx didn’t notice that.

        • Participant
          Nick Newman on May 23, 2008 at 7:21 pm #69950

          umm, amazon.com has everything in the world ever made ever doesnt it.? ? ? ?lol

        • Participant
          W.E. Price on May 24, 2008 at 9:07 am #69959

          Though not as technical as the ones previously mentioned, Brooks Johnson Coaching Manual is a good read, IMHO. Some interesting perspectives from one of the more prominent USA T&F;coaches through several decades.

          Another (if you can find it – possibly old book shops) is Champions in the Making by Jordan/Spencer. Many specific and anecdotal references to the giants of the 50’s and 60’s. Perhaps a more sanitary version of something like Speed Trap.

        • Participant
          mortac8 on May 25, 2008 at 2:04 am #69962

          [quote author="Lumberjack" date="1049955010"]S

          -> The Preparation of High Class Sportsmen in Horizontal Jumps – Anatoly Golubstov
          – Very deep book

          excuse me, I tried to find this book, where is possibile to purchase it?
          thanks[/quote]
          ditto

        • Participant
          lumberjack on May 25, 2008 at 7:28 am #69964

          [quote author="Lumberjack" date="1049955010"]S

          -> The Preparation of High Class Sportsmen in Horizontal Jumps – Anatoly Golubstov
          – Very deep book

          excuse me, I tried to find this book, where is possibile to purchase it?
          thanks[/quote]

          I don’t know where you could find it. It’s a translation from Russian. I found it in Dan Pfaff’s office.

          Here’s a new one for me to anyone teaching or learning any athletic skill:
          The Inner Game of Tennis – Timothy Gallwey
          Excellent book that will make you question if you are overcoaching your athletes

        • Member
          xelades on May 26, 2008 at 10:04 am #69972

          ok, thank you for your informations!

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