In my last coaching insight, I spoke to you about how I assess athleticism. This included body position, movement, strength, speed, & agility. In the next series of training insights I am going to break down each component and explain the importance of each and how our program will help you improve each one.
Body Position
When watching a lacrosse, basketball or baseball game everyone tends to watch the ball. The next time you watch one of these events try to focus on the postures of the athletes. Observe the lacrosse player who changes direction the quickest or the basketball player who jumps the highest. Watch a short stop field a ground ball. If you pause the video at the exact moment before the athletes executes one of these skills, you will notice similarities in their stances. Although the sport is different, the lower and upper bodies resemble one another.
Lower Body
This is the power-producing part of the body. The lower body is flexed at the ankles, knees and hips. The feet are aligned hip to shoulder width with adequate knee bend. The hips are pushed back.
Upper Body
The trunk will move forward but not completely parallel to the ground. Look at their uniform and you will be able to see most or at least the top half of the number(s) on the jersey. The back is flat and the shoulders up. The head is in a neutral position. The athlete is now in control and has increased his chances at beating his opponent to the goal, grabbing a rebound or fielding a ground ball.
At Get The Edge we emphasize the importance of posture as it relates to the movement being performed. Our goal is to improve the athlete’s ability to maintain proper body position in flexed, extended and rotated positions that involve multidirectional and linear movements. Every successful movement begins with great body position. This is another way we help our athlete’s “Get The Edge.”