🏈 If you're not following Alabama's Director of Performance Science Dr. Matt Rhea on twitter...you should

[BamaFan334]

another question I have is if our guys are not going to be as strong? If Cochran had these guys lifting and running like crazy you get them big and powerful, are these guys going to focus more on finesse or are there ways to get that same increase in strength in the same time frame without the hardship on the body?

Also, just curious how players earlier in Saban's tenure weren't breaking down as much? What changed philosophically from Cochran?

 

[NickelDoubleDog]

another question I have is if our guys are not going to be as strong? If Cochran had these guys lifting and running like crazy you get them big and powerful, are these guys going to focus more on finesse or are there ways to get that same increase in strength in the same time frame without the hardship on the body?

Also, just curious how players earlier in Saban's tenure weren't breaking down as much? What changed philosophically from Cochran?

It sounds like you are referring to power as the only measure of strength. And I can assure you focusing on power alone is a losing strategy for S&C. It's a topic I discussed specifically when contrasting Ballou/Rhea to the S&C program at a Big Ten school.

Power is great, but if you only train that you will be slow on the field and not be able to move people. Training for bar speed (explosiveness) is at least as important as training power. Focusing on unilateral work instead of everything being bilateral is also something the new Alabama S&C coaches emphasize.

What I also think this new duo does is to measure data, interpret it, and then put that data into use on a daily workout bases for each individual to a degree that's never been done at Alabama. This is where the growth and improvement in the performance of athletes is really going to come from.

 

[BamaFan334]

It sounds like you are referring to power as the only measure of strength. And I can assure you focusing on power alone is a losing strategy for S&C. It's a topic I discussed specifically when contrasting Ballou/Rhea to the S&C program at a Big Ten school.

Power is great, but if you only train that you will be slow on the field and not be able to move people. Training for bar speed (explosiveness) is at least as important as training power. Focusing on unilateral work instead of everything being bilateral is also something the new Alabama S&C coaches emphasize.

What I also think this new duo does is to measure data, interpret it, and then put that data into use on a daily workout bases for each individual to a degree that's never been done at Alabama. This is where the growth and improvement in the performance of athletes is really going to come from.

Well I understand as much being different ways to train and different metrics, but was just putting it all into simple terms. I know S&C is more than just bench press, squats, and power cleans. I was just curious how injuries are being attached to what Cochran was doing and how his methods were used for years to get us to the pinnacle, and how they all of a sudden failed us the last few years, to these guys bringing a more scientific approach and keeping our guys as strong and agile without producing the same injuries some say Cochran caused. Is it as simple as saying Cochran's approach was busted up by the HUNH offense compared to more traditional offenses back in 2007-2012?

 

[TerryP]

and how they all of a sudden failed us the last few years,

The game has changed as has the types of athletes being recruited. (See quick twitch) We don't see a lot of change in their size, but a change in what they are required to do on the field. It's no longer a "three yards and a cloud of dust" game.