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Speed Report: Mechanical Application & Technique-The Backbone for Football Speed Developmentby: Dale BaskettFootball Speed Specialist © More from this issue All human movement must be viewed as a mechanical function. The faster the movement, the greater the potential for a mechanical breakdown. Athletic movement at high velocity levels requires precise mechanical execution. Also important is the motor pattern development which needs to be a target from a spontaneity standpoint. For whatever mechanical function is utilized, it is being recorded as muscle firing memorization. What patterns used become ingrained and fire directly the same way over and over again. This is why it is very important to understand the methods of movement that are correct so as to prevent improper input. The mind doesn’t decipher the incoming information; it just records it. The athlete and coach must decipher the correct material that’s loaded into the computer. It is critical that you use the proper biomechanical movements so the athlete has the best opportunity to produce the best forces and limb harmony possible during high-speed endeavors. The Real Deal - Mechanics, Lineal speed is not the real deal for football speed. However, you must learn first to run mechanically well straight ahead. Once that base has been covered you can move into the movement training for the multiplicity of changes required in football. Why I harp on the subject of mechanics so aggressively is for one reason: it’s the greatest value towards maximizing speed on the planet. Remember, high frequency limb rotation and body mass velocity is totally controlled by the skill of your mechanical effectiveness. Strength, pylos, power development are all relative but without the proper mechanical function you will never reach your true potential. Power, force, and leverage all rely on technical function because running is a non-stop activity that breaks down the faster you run. One must master the techniques to master the potential. Leaving You a Simple Plan: LINE (Diagram 1) Consists of the leg, upper body and the head being aligned as force is applied to the surface in a downward and backward leg motion. This line is the foundation prior to any limb activity being performed. If it is misplaced, the limb rotation will suffer and be out of synch rotationally. If that happens, you now have the opposing rotational force at work. Alignment must be in place on all movement changes as well. It’s much like the trunk of a tree: if its attachment is sound from the ground up, the branches have a chance to function well. The same is true for the upper lower limb rotation capability. LIMB SYCHRONIZATION (Diagram 2) This is the upper/lower harmony of the leg and arm cycle. The only way the two will synchronize is if the arm angle is in a constant L angle throughout the front to back arm rotation running phase. If the arm angle at the elbow opens or closes a lot, the athlete will never be perfectly synchronized and the potential for maximum speed will be altered. This is the initial reason why one must lock the L’s. FOOTSTRIKE POSITIONING (Diagram 3)
The leg is directed downward as it reaches the front side of the torso upon the return leg action. That is, straight downward and not out in front. We need to get back to the ground so we can continue to propel the body mass with ground force activity. The ball of the foot is in correct position for surface contact at the touch phase. |
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