After interviewing and discussing what most coaches need – more than anything else – the unwavering answer is ‘more speed.’ Coaches also respond with the same answer – ‘more speed’ – when asked what is their recruiting priority?
With the advent of speed coaches nationwide, today’s football player can clearly improve his speed and become more valuable as a potential college recruit or candidate for the NFL. Each position is so specialized that there are speed coaches that train all offensive and defensive positions. As you can imagine, the training and exercises for improving a wide receiver’s speed is different than that of a defensive lineman.
Enter Ken Gray. A member of the 1985 Chicago Bears and later the San Diego Chargers, Gray was once timed at 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. Since his retirement from the NFL in 1988, Gray has worked with more than 5,000 athletes with the goal of improving each one’s speed. In addition to recommending specific speed drills, Gray tries to help each athlete he coaches understand genetic potential through muscle physiology and movement biomechanics.
Known as the Speed Doctor, Gray will now be a regular contributor to Gridiron Strategies. He will be writing position-specific drills to improve a players overall speed. In this issue, he discusses two drills that can improve the speed of linebackers.
Similar to Coach Gray’s article, Dr. Michael Yessis concludes his two-part series on improving tackling by detailing seven weight-training exercises. It is Dr. Yessis’ contention that most strength-based exercises do little to improve the skill required in tackling. For example, the overhead press is often used in strength programs. But in the overhead position, the arms are in a very weak position because the strength developed was for raising the arms, not for bringing the arms together as is needed to make a tackle.
As always, we welcome your feedback. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2012.
Respectfully,
Rex Lardner
Managing Editor