All this change is really refreshing to see. People brought in specifically for their ability and specialism in the relevant area and Maguire making sure all the areas of staffing are covered properly rather than having one man doing the work of 3 etc.

Im actually excited for the next season because of all the positives that are being shown atm with the new coaching set up. Theres alot of potential for success if all what is being put in place works to plan.

I am struggling to see a series of events which will see us not be succesful in the next 3 years.

Looks good.


Are we to take it that heart rate monitors have NOT been used thus far then?


Pathetic if true.


Jonh- I disagree about the weights btw I think lots way overcomplicate the "strength" side of things.

I agree it's not "all" about lifting weights ala weightlifters etc however, this still provides the basis of any decent routine.

Sure mix some "novelty" stuff in there but frankly the benefit here is insurance against boredom and a slightly different angle while working the muscle.

Attitude of the lifter is about 95% of any routine.

So 2 people.

1 pushes himself to the limit on a barbell

The other splits his workload as you outlined, and operates at say 85%.


Who "gains" the most? Only 1 answer.

I actually can see where you are coming from, and to a degree would agree with you (though I do believe people overcomplicate the issue here- "job preservation"? who knows?

However, the most important factor is attitude.

Work ethic and attitude is clearly the most important factor but if you have 2 people with the same ethic 1 using a bar bell the other using functional training there will be only 1 answer as to who is the better conditioned least likely to be injured superior balanced athlete, and i will give you a clue, its not the guy pushing the bar.

Why would he be operating at 85%? Why couldn't he be using the techniques outlined and still be working at full capacity?

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.

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.

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!!

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!

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.

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.