The Path to Excellence was a study undertaken by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) in an attempt to describe and understand the factors that contributed to the development of U.S. Olympians (1). This study presents a number of practical findings relevant to athlete development and talent identification that are along similar lines to those being investigated in the Pathways to the Podium Research Project.

816 male and female Olympians were recruited to participate in this study; all of whom competed in either the Summer or Winter Olympic Games between the years 1984 to 1998. All athletes completed a detailed questionnaire regarding the history of their involvement in sport, and their experiences throughout their journey to the Olympics. Some of the main findings that I found particularly interesting and applicable to coaching and athlete development are outlined below.

The Important Qualities of a Coach

What do athletes look for in a coach? The Olympians were asked to identify and rank the characteristics they value most in a coach. Here are the results:

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING...

The wait is finally over - Triphasic Training by Cal Dietz and Ben Peterson is finally here. 

Click HERE to order Cal's Book.

Read a portion of Cal's Book by viewing a previous post HERE.

Table of Contents

Since the inception of BSMPG we have featured a number of books, resources, and professionals that we believe are changing the way we practice sports medicine and performance training right before our eyes.  One such professional is Cal Dietz from the University of Minnesota.

Personally, there are only a few strength coaches that I follow closely and that have influenced my development in both sports medicine and sports performance; and then there is Cal Dietz.

See a portion from Cal's new book below which will be released later this week - a must have for all those that take performance training seriously!

See Cal speak at the BSMPG summer seminar May 19-20th in Boston MA.

Transferring Force and Improving Performance Through the Foot and Ankle Complex

By: Cal Dietz & Ben Peterson
Edited By: Daniel Raimondi

Over many years of coaching I have witnessed athletes who have made tremendous gains in knee and hip flexion and explosiveness in their training, yet this training time and advancement never seem to transfer into training results for testing. Then one day about 8 years ago I was able to spot the main reason why all this newly developed athletic potential and speed did not transfer over into testing. The question arose with several athletes I made much stronger in the knee and hip joint, along with explosion from those various joints. However, in testing the athletes’ 10 and 20-yard dash we didn’t see the results that we anticipated based on their gains everywhere else in the weight room and/or vertical jump. When we tested one particular athlete we saw no advancements in the 10 and 20 yd dash, which was a huge concern and misunderstanding on my part. I realized at this point that I must dig into this to its fullest extent.

As I reviewed the tape of the athlete running the starts in the 10 and 20 I was able to spot something that was of key importance. The original reason I was video tapping was to rectify some technical flaws that could improve the 10 and 20 times, but since this athletes was a hockey player, just by practicing the skill he got much better. Anyone that has ever trained a hockey athlete for running realizes how poor the technique often is when they start coming right out of the season. What I saw on this day was that as the athlete's foot struck the ground on the second step I saw that the heel lost 2-3 inches from the point when the toes hit the ground. When I say “lost” I mean there was a reversal of direction of the center of mass in the body and the heel thus, became closer to the ground. This indicated a loss of power being, incapable of helping the athlete run faster.

I then reversed the tape and looked at the first step and the same thing was happening with the athletes out of the initial start. I realized what had taken place: I made the hip and knee joint much more powerful and stronger, but the ankle joint (being a hockey player) couldn’t absorb the force from the knee and hip. It was as if all the athletes had been running their times on sand. Since I made the hip and knee stronger the ankle, the weak link in the chain, was unable to absorb the force that dampened the stiffness qualities and those particular testing results By addressing the ankle complex weaknesses that existed to absorb the force and power we were able to within one week make the ankle complex strong enough to withstand the foot striking the ground.

This can often be seen in a number of populations. The aforementioned example of hockey players is obvious because they spend most of the season in the boot. Basketball players are often suspect because their ankles become weakened in the season due to the excessive taping and braces that they wear. I‘ve seen throwers(shotput and/or discus) have this coming across the ring as they change directions. This technique flaw often happens when they start to spin and transfer across the rear of the ring to the front of the ring. You will see their ankle give and at that point many gains can be made in speed and quickness in the ankle and foot.

One must have a full understanding of the foot/ankle complex and its functions many athletes demonstrate dysfunctional patterns in the said area. Hopefully you have a good medical staff that can manipulate the foot (Or are willing to learn if they can’t) to better transfer this force into the ground such that performance improves. Fortunately, I have been able to learn a number of techniques to help manipulate the foot so that it functions better. Without functioning correctly you will never get the entire benefits of the training program.

Let’s first look at the basic functions of the ankle foot as it’s used in sport. As the foot strikes the ground, whether during acceleration or at top speed, near the small toes as it tries to find the ground. What then occurs is a transfer of forces from the small toes over to the big toe at push off. The transference is utilizing the size and strength of the big toe in running; this action must be used in all movements in training. So keep in mind that in every possible  action you must use a few key coaching points/actions with your athletes:

1.  Focus on pushing through the big toe
You will see a huge improvement in their  jumping ability if you add this one component to your jumping/plyometric programs. Also, in any weight lifting movement that applies extension of all three joints (at a slow or high speed) this also must be implemented to transfer weight room performance to the field. So, in your cleans, cue the athletes to push through the big toe at the top of the pull. This is not recommended for Olympic weight lifters; however, for sports performance it would be highly recommended. The walking lunge is another example of how this should be implemented. As an athlete would push and finish off the movement at the top, all the forces must be transferred off the foot to the big toe to strengthen it and emphasize its mobility and strength at the range of motion.

2. Calf raises for sport training should be done explosively with a knee bend.
That knee bend must be timed with the extension of the foot at the top when completing the exercise. The feet sometimes misfire on the timing at the beginning of sporting movements, but remember it is an absolute necessity to transfer all the actions on the joint to the sporting field. Bodybuilders would not want to implement this. Athletes should execute this exercise at the end of the a training cycle in the last 4-6 weeks. Just completing heavy loads without the knee bend would be fine, but keep in mind you must always finish with the explosive knee bend calf raises, being sure to push through the big toe at the top.

No matter what sport you play, if it involves movement with the legs, you must constantly coach the athletes up on these finer points of foot function. Essentially, what happens is they’re losing all the potential power from the main two joints of explosion and not transferring it onto the speed on the field. I’ve seen too many athletes underutilize their potential and have a simple biomechanical problem that can’t be transferred over because of one joint in the kinetic chain in applying power and force to the ground. You lose so much potential. 

Having your squatting potential transfer to the sporting field to optimize results:
Many athletes and/or coaches use an Olympic or powerlifting style squat when they are performing front and back squats when training for sport. Let’s keep in mind that these are all excellent exercises in gaining strength for athletes to become faster and more explosive. Please keep in mind that I use these various techniques throughout the year, but you can’t get the greatest sport results by not changing up these methods once your athletes have become strong enough. When making this statement one must realize that you can’t keep squatting heavier and heavier and have performance keep improving. This has never been the case with any athlete that I’ve seen. You must have a level of strength that is high enough to perform the task at hand. Once the strength has been developed one must use more sports specific methods to transfer the gains made from the Olympic and power-lifting squat over to the field.

This is where the “sport back squat” comes into play. The sport back squat essentially is taking your wider stance squat and moving the feet of the athlete to a very narrow position (shoulder width or slightly within/outside based on size). The reason for this is that during the majority of performances the athlete completes the feet will be in this position. To facilitate the transfer and strength gains from the Olympic and power lifting style back squat, the last 4 to 6 weeks of training (potentially longer during the in season) would use the sport back squat to get the most specific position of your feet when squatting.  Some things change in this particular style of squat, especially with athletes that have a long thigh bone; they will not be able to go as deep as before as in the Olympic or power lifting style back squat. Keep in mind when you switch from the Olympic or power lifting style back squat to the sport back squat that you most likely wont have your athletes go as deep for biomechanical reasons. So realizing that your athletes wont go as deep you must increase the glute and hamstring work in your programming because you will not be utilizing the hamstring and glutes as much as you would in the deeper Olympic and power squats.

Many people often ask, “Well is not squatting deep the ideal thing for my athletes?” I would say unless they are going into some type of squatting competition not to worry about it because in sport they rarely ever get into that deep of a position; also, they will not lose much strength in regard to squatting during the transition time utilizing the sport back squat, which again should be the last 4 to 6 weeks of your training cycles to get optimal transfer of sports performance. Dr. Bondarchuck rarely ever squatted his athletes that deep because they never went into those deep positions in their throwing movements. He felt that squatting at the angles that they would compete at was optimal and got the best results. His results speak for themselves, being arguably the greatest coach in the history of the summer games. Just remember when utilizing the sport back squat one can also come up with some very specific glute and hamstring exercises to help your athletes transfer into their sporting event.

Wondering why there seems to be so many injuries this NBA season?

Learn from Dr. Bruce Williams at the 2012 BSMPG Summer Seminar and understand how poor foot strike and foot function may predispose athletes to injuries.

Join the nations best sports medicine and performance professionals in Boston this May 19th and 20th at the Annual BSMPG summer seminar.

Who Doesn't Love Free Prizes?

Complete details are now available for the 2012 BSMPG Summer Seminar and this year looks better than ever!  In addition to another world-class speaker list, BSMPG and our sponsors are offering a ridiculous number of prizes.

Prizes: Attendees are automatically registered to win prizes from a number of our sponsors including: Freelap Timing Systems, Zeo Sleep Manager and Perform Better.

Other Raffle Prizes include: Barefoot in Boston by Art Horne and Human Locomotion by Thomas Michaud

Attendees who register before April 15th will be placed in a raffle to win a Free Registration pass to the  2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar!

Click HERE for registration and complete details.

by Garrett Chin

The Secret of Socrates

Back in 2004, it was the year an important lesson was learned as a clinician.  I was on my first clinical rotation as an undergraduate student at Simmons College (Boston, MA).  Before I go any further, Simmons’ is a female only college, which can be more difficult for an opposite sex clinician if you do not gain the trust immediately.  Long story short, as an inexperienced clinician at the time, I have instructed an athlete with toe contusions to use the cold whirlpool.  The athlete responded, “No” because she didn’t want to get wet and preferred an ice bag.  Now as a clinician, there are certainly better methods of cryotherapy than the other pending on the area.  While taking modalities class that same semester, it was all I knew as an extremely young clinician.  Since this was all I knew, I was the “expert” on cryotherapy already and in this case the toes were an irregular area and using ice water would have made more contact area than the ice bag.  (We can save the topic of “cryotherapy” for another time).  I kept insisting that the athlete used the cold whirlpool, and each time the athlete refused even more.

The method of cryotherapy wasn’t the issue that had bothered me, but it was the “No” that I felt rejected.  A ‘No’ response, according to Professor Overstreet1, is a most difficult handicap to overcome.  When a person has said “No,” all their pride of personality demands that they remain consistent with themselves.  However, they may later feel that the “No” was ill-advised; nevertheless, there is their precious pride to consider!  Once having said a thing, majority of the time, a person feel they must stick to it.  In this particular case, the athlete said “No” and she was sticking to it.

Regardless of the relationship (coworkers, family, friends, etc.) this is a principle that applies to all: In talking with people, don’t begin by discussing the things on which you differ.  Begin by emphasizing, and most certainly keep on emphasizing the things on which you agree.  Keep emphasizing, if possible, that you are both striving for the same end and that your only difference is one of method and not of purpose.   Get the other person to say, “Yes, yes” at the outset.  Keep your opponent, if possible, from saying “No”. 

In this particular case, before I began studying human relations, I refused the patient my service if she refused to follow my treatment plan.  I must admit that as an inexperienced clinician, I am ashamed that I have been guilty of doing that very thing in the past.  Naturally, an ultimatum like this made me feel good since it gave me a sense of power and that my specific treatment procedure couldn’t be disregarded.  But this sort of attitude certainly didn’t give a feeling of welcome and importance to the female athlete, whom the reason why I have a job in the first place.

Socrates was one of the world’s greatest philosophers. He did something that only a handful of people throughout history have been able to do, and that is to change the whole course of human thought. Centuries after his death, he is honored as one of the wisest persuaders ever to have graced this planet.   His Method? Did he tell people they were wrong?
His whole technique, now called the "Socratic Method" was based upon getting a "YES, YES" response. Asking questions with which his opponent would have to agree, he kept asking questions, winning admission after admission, until finally one finds themselves, embracing a conclusion that only minutes ago you would have emphatically opposed.

After this experience, I’ve learned from my mistakes and became more mature over the years.   I resolved not to talk about what I wanted but what the patient wanted.  Above all else, I was determined to get the patient saying “yes, yes” from the very start.  Now, during my treatment approach, the key to a successful plan was to be a good listener, paying attention to details, patient education (always explain the power of “Why”; for instance the acute phase is 72 hours – constant PRICE), modify rehabilitation exercise (simplicity progressing to advance at the appropriate time), MOST IMPORTANTLY – Continue to read EBP. 

Just recently I had a similar case like that of 2004.  I was determined to get the patient to say “Yes” from the start.  The patient wanted to grab an ice bag and leave to join friends.  After examining the patient, “Well,” I said, “you certainly have an acute injury.  Wouldn’t you like to care of this as best as possible immediately?”

 “Yes, of course,” the patient replied.  I have already gotten my first “yes”!

 “Well there is most certainly different ways to treat this,” as I explained the two best ways to get rid of swelling was via compression and elevation, and that ice was only to stop the cell metabolism from worsening.  The more surface treated, the slower the cell metabolism will become.  Then after explaining the different type of cryotherapy available, “Game Ready will most certainly cover more area of your knee along with compression, while the ice will only cover a portion of your knee with no compression.  I would prefer Game Ready, then immediate compression.  Which would you like to do, Game Ready or ice bag?”

 “Yes, I agree.  Definitely Game Ready, then compression,” the patient replied.  I got my second yes!  The patient’s attitude softened and changed when the patient realized I wasn’t choosing the treatment for my sake, but for the patient’s sake.  You’ll find that by getting the patient to say ‘yes,yes’ philosophy from the outset, they will forget the issue at stake and be happy with the things you suggest, however, make it about them.  The next time we are tempted to tell someone they are wrong, let’s remember old Socrates and ask a gentle question (hint: a question that will get the “yes, yes” response).

The Chinese always have a sharp straightforward quote.  They have spent five thousand years studying human nature, and garnered a lot of perspicacity.  There is one proverb they use with age-old wisdom of the Orient: “He who treads softly goes far.”

PRINCIPLE TO THE SECRET OF SOCRATES
Get the other person saying “yes, yes” immediately.
  

1. Overstreet HA.  Influencing Human Behavior.  New York: Norton.  1925.

BSMPG is proud to announce Jose Fernendez as a speaker within the Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Track for the 2012 BSMPG Summer Seminar, May 19-20, 2012 in Boston MA.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Famously uttered by Sir Isaac Newton,

“If I can see further than anyone else, it is only because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.”

In 2011 BSMPG invited the titans of Sports Medicine and Performance to Boston for the largest conference of its kind, and many attendees left asking the question, "how could you ever top that speaker line-up?" Well, we did. BSMPG is proud to announce May 19-20, 2012 as the selected date for Sports Medicine and Strength professionals to desend upon Boston MA for another monster conference!

So how could we ever top last year's speaker set?

Let's just say that we asked last year's speakers who they wanted to hear and we got em!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we reveal our entire 2012 speaker set. As we did last year, this seminar will be divided into three distinct educational tracks including a Hockey focus, a Basketball Focus and a clear Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Track with Keynote Speakers throughout the weekend bringing each track together for common lectures. Attendees may choose to stay within one track throughout the entire weekend or mix and match to meet their educational needs. Remember to save the date now - you won't want to miss another great summer seminar presented by BSMPG.

May 19-20, 2012 - Boston MA. Complete details coming soon!

Remember to Save the Date for the BSMPG 2012 Summer Seminar - May 19-20th in Boston MA.

A limited number of seats still remain for our DNS "A" course. Sign up now before the last seat is gone!

BSMPG is proud to announce Dan Boothby as a speaker within the Hockey Specific Training Track for the 2012 BSMPG Summer Seminar, May 19-20, 2012 in Boston MA.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Famously uttered by Sir Isaac Newton,

“If I can see further than anyone else, it is only because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.”

In 2011 BSMPG invited the titans of Sports Medicine and Performance to Boston for the largest conference of its kind, and many attendees left asking the question, "how could you ever top that speaker line-up?" Well, we did. BSMPG is proud to announce May 19-20, 2012 as the selected date for Sports Medicine and Strength professionals to desend upon Boston MA for another monster conference!

So how could we ever top last year's speaker set?

Let's just say that we asked last year's speakers who they wanted to hear and we got em!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we reveal our entire 2012 speaker set. As we did last year, this seminar will be divided into three distinct educational tracks including a Hockey focus, a Basketball Focus and a clear Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Track with Keynote Speakers throughout the weekend bringing each track together for common lectures. Attendees may choose to stay within one track throughout the entire weekend or mix and match to meet their educational needs. Remember to save the date now - you won't want to miss another great summer seminar presented by BSMPG.

May 19-20, 2012 - Boston MA. Complete details coming soon!

Remember to Save the Date for the BSMPG 2012 Summer Seminar - May 19-20th in Boston MA.

A limited number of seats still remain for our DNS "A" course. Sign up now before the last seat is gone!

BSMPG is proud to announce Cal Dietz as a speaker within the Hockey Specific Training Track for the 2012 BSMPG Summer Seminar, May 19-20, 2012 in Boston MA.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Famously uttered by Sir Isaac Newton,

“If I can see further than anyone else, it is only because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.”

In 2011 BSMPG invited the titans of Sports Medicine and Performance to Boston for the largest conference of its kind, and many attendees left asking the question, "how could you ever top that speaker line-up?" Well, we did. BSMPG is proud to announce May 19-20, 2012 as the selected date for Sports Medicine and Strength professionals to desend upon Boston MA for another monster conference!

So how could we ever top last year's speaker set?

Let's just say that we asked last year's speakers who they wanted to hear and we got em!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we reveal our entire 2012 speaker set. As we did last year, this seminar will be divided into three distinct educational tracks including a Hockey focus, a Basketball Focus and a clear Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Track with Keynote Speakers throughout the weekend bringing each track together for common lectures. Attendees may choose to stay within one track throughout the entire weekend or mix and match to meet their educational needs. Remember to save the date now - you won't want to miss another great summer seminar presented by BSMPG.

May 19-20, 2012 - Boston MA. Complete details coming soon!

Remember to Save the Date for the BSMPG 2012 Summer Seminar - May 19-20th in Boston MA.

A limited number of seats still remain for our DNS "A" course. Sign up now before the last seat is gone!

BSMPG is proud to announce Peter Friesen as a speaker within the Hockey Specific Training Track for the 2012 BSMPG Summer Seminar, May 19-20, 2012 in Boston MA.

PETER FRIESEN

Head Athletic Trainer/Strength and Conditioning Coach

Topic: Rehabilation, Strengthening, & Conditioning of the Elite Hockey Player

Pete Friesen is in his 15th season with the Carolina Hurricanes as the Team’s Head Athletic Therapist/Strength and Conditioning Coach. He is entering his 32nd year as a professional hockey trainer. Friesen is a certified as strength & conditioning coach and personal trainer, a performance enhancement specialist, corrective exercise specialist and massage therapist, a board-certified sport physical therapist, and is certified in both the United States and Canada as an Athletic Trainer/Therapist. Pete is responsible for the institution of training and dietary standards, preparation of rehabilitation programs and treatment of acute injuries for all Hurricanes players.

In addition to his work with professional teams, Friesen has been associated with the Canadian Olympic and international programs for the last 28 seasons, including serving as the head trainer for Team Canada’s gold medal-winning team during the 2004 World Championship in the Czech Republic. He again served as head trainer for Canada at the 2011 World Championship in Slovakia, and has now been to 10 IIHF World Championships. Friesen has advised six different Canadian programs including men’s and women’s ice hockey, field hockey, soccer, figure skating, softball, wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball in preparation for their respective tournaments. Combining the different elements of each sport, Friesen strives to show athletes various ways of developing elements of their bodies in a true cross-training fashion.

A graduate of Bemidji State (MN) with bachelor’s degrees in education and physical education, Friesen also earned a master’s degree in sports medicine and physical therapy from the University of Saskatchewan. Prior to joining the Hurricanes, Friesen was the head trainer at both the University of Saskatchewan and then the University of Alberta.

Peter and his family put on a 5 K fun run every year raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of North Carolina. Over the past 6 year the run has raised over 325 thousand dollars.
Pete and his wife, Shelley, reside in Knightdale, North Carolina, with their children, Jack (20), Chad (19) and Taylor (16).

_______________________________________________________________________________

Famously uttered by Sir Isaac Newton,

“If I can see further than anyone else, it is only because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.”

In 2011 BSMPG invited the titans of Sports Medicine and Performance to Boston for the largest conference of its kind, and many attendees left asking the question, "how could you ever top that speaker line-up?" Well, we did. BSMPG is proud to announce May 19-20, 2012 as the selected date for Sports Medicine and Strength professionals to desend upon Boston MA for another monster conference!

So how could we ever top last year's speaker set?

Let's just say that we asked last year's speakers who they wanted to hear and we got em!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we reveal our entire 2012 speaker set. As we did last year, this seminar will be divided into three distinct educational tracks including a Hockey focus, a Basketball Focus and a clear Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Track with Keynote Speakers throughout the weekend bringing each track together for common lectures. Attendees may choose to stay within one track throughout the entire weekend or mix and match to meet their educational needs. Remember to save the date now - you won't want to miss another great summer seminar presented by BSMPG.

May 19-20, 2012 - Boston MA. Complete details coming soon!

Remember to Save the Date for the BSMPG 2012 Summer Seminar - May 19-20th in Boston MA.

A limited number of seats still remain for our DNS "A" course. Sign up now before the last seat is gone!