--- title: To Fail or Not to Fail? – That is the Question description: To Fail or Not to Fail? – That is the Question“To fail is a natural consequence of trying, to succeed takes time and prolonged effort in the face of image: https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5406944-png/images/33registernow.png --- [![BSMPG Logo](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BSMPG_June2016-theme_Images/logo.png?width=570&name=logo.png "BSMPG Logo")](https://www.bsmpg.com/) # Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC Blog ## [To Fail or Not to Fail? – That is the Question](https://www.bsmpg.com/Blog/bid/38296/To-Fail-or-Not-to-Fail-That-is-the-Question) Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Wed, Apr 14, 2010 @ 08:04 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) “To fail is a natural consequence of trying, to succeed takes time and prolonged effort in the face of unfriendly odds. To think it will be any other way, no matter what you do, is to invite yourself to be hurt and limit your enthusiasm for trying” -    David Viscott   I remember coming home after failing a fifth grade geography test and showing my parents the results of my effort.  To avoid a long detailed explanation of what happened next let’s just say I wasn’t able to sit down for the rest of the day.  So failure’s bad right? But what about failure in the weight room? Is pushing yourself or your athletes past the discomfort associated with the last few reps a good thing? I asked Northeastern University’s legendary throwing coach for his insight and the below is a summary of our interaction. So Joe, is failing good? Well this depends on several factors such as, how often the event takes place within a general workout or particular exercise.   If it is a regular occurrence then: •    it might be symptomatic of a load that is too heavy for the reps, •    poor technique, •    poor fitness. •    It also can be a sign of over training or •    It can also be a sign of oncoming poor health. For a particular exercise, failure might be just a random event. (which is why many top lifters use a daily note log) Technique breaks down when the load becomes too heavy for the current capacity of the athlete. If you constantly push to failure the system adapts to failure as a goal and feeds back into the athlete with more failure.  The technique of the exercise begins to disintegrate. It is a system of negative follow through where the last motor event in the sequence is the goal. Olympic shooters, for instance, are taught to site-hold on the target after the shot is gone ensuring that the pathway stays on target. What you practice is what you will get and I deal with this all the time in throwing. In baseball Ted Williams used to emphasize 'follow through'. Failure done regularly is a form of 'follow through'. Can you have a micro-cycle where push to failure is OK?  Yes you can, but the exercises should be ambiguous in nature and not closely related to the sport movement. In that way the technique can be undisturbed but the work effort to push CNS and increased body load capacity is affected.  Sometimes you need to 'blast' the system to make it more alert to change. It's the motor systems equivalent of a loud yell! 'Push to failure' in weight training must not impede other sport preparation. Sufficient recovery is necessary. Each athlete is different in this and recovery rates vary. This is why 'One workout for All' does not work for 'all'. You start with a general workout then customize based on developmental ability. On the flip side, should athletes always experience "success" on each set or rep? If they are, then they are not pushing hard enough. There is a time for high intensity and a time for general development and maintenance. High intensity in the sport event usually requires a reduced load in the wt room but there are anomalies. Some athletes get a psychological boost when training hard and a significant reduction of load or intensity raises their anxiety. What you believe is as important as what really works which is why education in the latter is so important. When the failure occurs you can; 1. Do nothing and move on to the next set 2. Adjust the rest of the sets (ie: poundage down) 3. Adjust the reps 4. Adjust reps and poundage 5. Correct the technique In conclusion, I would say push to fail is OK if done when needed, the cycle is short and does not interfere with the sport skill.  It is not the poundage in the weight room that decides whether a workout plan is effective. It is the sport skill result that is the final arbiter. The knowledge we gain is scientific but the application is still art. Sometimes a good loud yell is what we all need but not in an airport security line! *Thanks to Joe Donahue (Northeastern University Legendary Throwing Coach) for his thoughts and contribution. **Art Horne** is the Coordinator of Care and Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Men’s Basketball Team at Northeastern University, Boston MA.  He can be reached at a.horne@neu.edu. _________________________________________________ Discount ends soon!! Register for the conference now! [![BSMPG](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5406944-png/images/33registernow.png)](https://www.bsmpg.com/registration/) Topics: [Strength Training](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/strength-training), [basketball conference](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-conference), [athletic training conference](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-conference), [boston hockey summit](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-summit), [boston hockey conference](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-conference), [sports performance](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/sports-performance), [strength coach](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/strength-coach), [mental toughness](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-toughness) ### Barefoot in Boston now available on Amazon.com “The residents who live here, according to the parable, began noticing increasing numbers of drowning people caught in the river’s swift current and so went to work inventing ever more elaborate technologies to resuscitate them. So preoccupied were these heroic villagers with rescue and treatment that they never thought to look UPSTREAM to see who was pushing the victims in.” Learn what is hurting your feet and your performance, and how to finally train your feet the way they were meant to be.[![barefoot in boston](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5407262-png/images/barefoot.kindle.png)](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=barefoot+in+boston&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abarefoot+in+boston&ajr=8) ### Follow Me ### Subscribe to BLOG by Email ### Most Popular Posts ### Purchase Charlie Weingroff's DVD HERE! [![tequalsr2 lr](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hub/52884/file-865742913.jpg?width=284&height=115&name=file-865742913.jpg)](http://tequalsr2.com?family=70efdf2ec9b086079795c442636b55fb) ### Browse by Tag - [achilles pain (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/achilles-pain) - [acute pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/acute-pain) - [Adam Naylor (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adam-naylor) - [Adriaan Louw (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adriaan-louw) - [Al Smith (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/al-smith) - [Alan Grodin (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-grodin) - [Alan Stein (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-stein) - [allen gruver (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/allen-gruver) - [Andrea Hudy (25)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andrea-hudy) - [Andreo Spina (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andreo-spina) - [Andy O'Brien (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andy-obrien) - [ankle problems (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ankle-problems) - [Announcements (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/announcements) - [Art Horne (132)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/art-horne) - [athletic trainer (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-trainer) - [athletic training (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training) - [athletic training books (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-books) - [athletic training conference (209)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-conference) - [autonomy (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/autonomy) - [Barefoot in Boston (40)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-in-boston) - [barefoot running (15)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-running) - [barefoot strength training (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-strength-training) - [barefoot training (18)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-training) - [baseball conference (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/baseball-conference) - [basketball conference (153)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-conference) - [basketball performance (70)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-performance) - [Basketball Related (37)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-related) - [basketball resources (76)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-resources) - [basketball seminar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-seminar) - [Basketball Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training) - [basketball training programs (84)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training-programs) - [basketball videos (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-videos) - [Ben Prentiss (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ben-prentiss) - [Bill Knowles (48)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bill-knowles) - [blunder (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/blunder) - [Bobby Alejo (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bobby-alejo) - [Boo Schexnayder (10)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boo-schexnayder) - [boston hockey conference (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-conference) - [boston hockey summit (101)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-summit) - [boston marathon (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-marathon) - [Boston Promise (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-promise) - [Brandon Bovee (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brandon-bovee) - [Breathing Disorders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/breathing-disorders) - [Brendon Ziegler (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brendon-ziegler) - [Brian McCormick (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brian-mccormick) - [Brijesh Patel (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brijesh-patel) - [Brook Lopez (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brook-lopez) - [Bruce Williams (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bruce-williams) - [BSMPG (79)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg) - [BSMPG baseball conference (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-baseball-conference) - [BSMPG Summar Seminar (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summar-seminar) - [BSMPG Summer Seminar (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summer-seminar) - [Cal Dietz (45)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cal-dietz) - [Catapult (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/catapult) - [Charlie Weingroff (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/charlie-weingroff) - [children's hospital boston (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/childrens-hospital-boston) - [chris chase (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-chase) - [Chris Joyce (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-joyce) - [Chris Powers (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-powers) - [Christopher McDougall (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/christopher-mcdougall) - [Chronic Pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chronic-pain) - [Clare Frank (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/clare-frank) - [Cleveland Cavs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cleveland-cavs) - [concussion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion) - [concussion management (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion-management) - [Conditioning-Agility-Speed (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conditioning-agility-speed) - [conference video (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conference-video) - [Core Stability Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/core-stability-training) - [Craig Liebenson (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/craig-liebenson) - [customer service (28)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/customer-service) - [Dan Boothby (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-boothby) - [Dan Gilbert (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-gilbert) - [Daniel Coyle (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-coyle) - [Daniel Lieberman (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-lieberman) - [Dartfish (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dartfish) - [Dave Tenney (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dave-tenney) - [deadlift Art Horne (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/deadlift-art-horne) - [Derek Hansen (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hansen) - [Derek Hanson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hanson) - [Devan McConnell (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/devan-mcconnell) - [development (31)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/development) - [discipline (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/discipline) - [DNS (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns) - [DNS course (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns-course) - [Don Callahan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/don-callahan) - [Dorsiflexion (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dorsiflexion) - [Dr. DiMuro (8)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dr-dimuro) - [Dunk Shot (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dunk-shot) - [dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dynamic-neuromuscular-stabilization) - [Eric Oetter (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/eric-oetter) - [Erik Helland (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/erik-helland) - [everything basketball (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/everything-basketball) - [evidence based medicine (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/evidence-based-medicine) - [Fascial Distortion Model (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fascial-distortion-model) - [FAT-Tool (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fat-tool) - [female basketball (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-basketball) - [female strength training (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-strength-training) - [Fenway Park (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fenway-park) - [Fergus Connolly (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fergus-connolly) - [Flexibility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flexibility) - [flow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flow) - [FMS (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fms) - [Food Rules (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/food-rules) - [foot fracture (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-fracture) - [foot pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-pain) - [Foot Strike (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-strike) - [football off-season workouts (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/football-off-season-workouts) - [functional movement screen (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-movement-screen) - [Functional Performance Training (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-performance-training) - [Functional Range Release (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-range-release) - [George Mumford (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/george-mumford) - [Gerry Ramogida (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gerry-ramogida) - [Good to Great (43)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/good-to-great) - [Gray Cook (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gray-cook) - [Guest Author (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/guest-author) - [Health (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health) - [Health & Wellness (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health-wellness) - [Hip Hinge (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hip-hinge) - [hockey conference (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-conference) - [hockey DVD (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-dvd) - [hockey videos (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-videos) - [Human Locomotion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/human-locomotion) - [Inigo Mujika (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inigo-mujika) - [innercity weightlifting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/innercity-weightlifting) - [InsideTracker (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/insidetracker) - [inspiratory muscle training (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inspiratory-muscle-training) - [integrated care (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/integrated-care) - [iowa football (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/iowa-football) - [Irene Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/irene-davis) - [james anderson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/james-anderson) - [Jay DeMayo (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-demayo) - [jay-z (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-z) - [Jeff Cubos (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jeff-cubos) - [jerry mcguire (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jerry-mcguire) - [Jim Snider (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jim-snider) - [jj barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jj-barea) - [Joel Jamieson (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/joel-jamieson) - [John Berardi (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-berardi) - [John DiMuro (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-dimuro) - [john sullivan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-sullivan) - [john wooden (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-wooden) - [Jonas Sahratian (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jonas-sahratian) - [Jose Fernandez (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-fernandez) - [jose juan barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-juan-barea) - [Keiser (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keiser) - [Keith D'Amelio (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keith-damelio) - [Kettlebell Instruction (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kettlebell-instruction) - [Kevin Durant (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-durant) - [Kevin Neeld (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-neeld) - [knee pain (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/knee-pain) - [Landon Evans (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/landon-evans) - [Leaders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders) - [Leaders in Performance (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders-in-performance) - [Leadership (30)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [LeBron James (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/lebron-james) - [Leon Chaitow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leon-chaitow) - [Logan Schwartz (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/logan-schwartz) - [managing (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/managing) - [Marathon Monday (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marathon-monday) - [Marc Bubbs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marc-bubbs) - [Marco Cardinale (26)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marco-cardinale) - [Mark Cuban (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-cuban) - [Mark Lindsay (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-lindsay) - [Mark Scappaticci (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-scappaticci) - [Mark Toomey (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-toomey) - [Marvin Chun (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marvin-chun) - [mastery (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mastery) - [Matt Jordan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/matt-jordan) - [mental toughness (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-toughness) - [mental training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-training) - [Mike Boyle (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-boyle) - [Mike Curtis (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-curtis) - [Mike Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-davis) - [Mobility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mobility) - [moneyball (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/moneyball) - [Mosley (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mosley) - [motivation (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motivation) - [Motor Control (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-control) - [Motor Learning (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-learning) - [Movement (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement) - [movement impairments (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement-impairments) - [NBA (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nba) - [Neil Rampe (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/neil-rampe) - [networking (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/networking) - [nike free (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nike-free) - [Noraxon (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/noraxon) - [northeastern (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern) - [northeastern university (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern-university) - [off season training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/off-season-training) - [orthopedic assessment (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-assessment) - [orthopedic risk factors (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-risk-factors) - [Ownership (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ownership) - [Pat Riley (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pat-riley) - [patient centered care (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patient-centered-care) - [Patrick Ward (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patrick-ward) - [Pavel Kolar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-kolar) - [Pavel Tsatsouline (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-tsatsouline) - [Perform Better (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/perform-better) - [Performance Directors Meeting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-directors-meeting) - [performance testing (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-testing) © 2020 Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC