Athletic assessment

[Paul Sharp]

Greetings,

I am currently experimenting with the concept of an Athletic Assessment before someone begins training and continuing this process during their time with me.

I have been thinking about this for a while now. When I went to begin training with a local wrestling club during the summer months this was a standard practice for everyone that walked through the door. We were timed through a series of sprints, hops and jumps for distance. My standing broad jump was measured as well as my estimated 1rm for the squat. All this was done prior to me ever stepping on the mat. They also tested my ROM at the hips, knees and shoulders. Body fat testing was simple, "Lift your shirt".

Their focus is identical to mine, develop high quality athletes. Yet I have never done any of these things with my guy's.

So...., I am putting together a short set of tests.
1) 5 meter sprint
2) 25 meter hop on one foot
3) 50 meter sprint
4) Standing Broad Jump
5) ROM testing for Hips, Knees
Shoulders.
6) As yet unknown Strength testing

I am still developing this but I think the concept is sound. Since I firmly believe Performance is number one priority this will allow me to find their level of athletic ability and customize my training time with them to fit their needs.

So, rather than having a beginners, intermediate or advanced sessions based on technical knowledge they would be slotted according to athletic ability. As I said I am still working on this and I am having a mental battle with the idea of "slotting" people.

My justification for putting people in divisions based on athletic ability is found in this premise. They will progress faster and retain more when they are in better condition. My curriculum, as such, is rooted in mastering the fundamentals,ie; a double leg is a double leg, the difference in one athlete making it work and another athlete failing is athletic ability. Since the main difference in levels is athletic ability, why not re-test to assess if the athlete is ready, athletically, to move on to training that is much more taxing.

Perfect example occurred today. Working the Standup game, I found myself saying the same thing over and over to one athlete. During a break I asked if he understood what I was trying to convey. He said he did, but he just could not focus as he was too tired to go on. Technically he is better than the athlete he was working with, condition wise he is not even close. I realize, as another athlete pointed out, he could take it upon himself to hit the Stairmaster more often but I think this is where the assessment process could come into play. Through the assessment I could see immediately where he needs to focus before his game starts to suffer.

Just some random thoughts.

Peace,
Paul Sharp

[Bad Karma]

Checked out the military PT test?

The Army has thier PT test online and available if you're interested. It also has the age/gender breakdown with scores. You could use that AND include the other stuff specific to your needs (ROM and % body fat tests). Just a thought...

http://midville.com/apft/

http://www.benning.army.mil/usapfs/pages/FM21-20.htm

http://www.benning.army.mil/usapfs/

Peace

[Dion]

I have to agree whole heartedly with you on this one Paul, I have noticed the same identical thing with people understanding what has to be done but just not having the ability in them athletically to perform it. A matter of the condition of the body as to whether a thought can be expressed physically or not.

Here is a funny but very serious one you may like to try in the training that I find improves several things like... cardiovascular, rythm, flow, control and importantly confidence and also strength comes about in different muscles that some may be unaware of previous to trying themselves.

Dancing.... yep hehehe dance, any type it does not matter but they go at their own pace, start slow and build up in tempo over time and after a while they will be a lot fitter.

Yes I know, your not a dance class, but arent you ?? is not a dance merely an expression of ones self , both with and with out a 'partner' ?

Just use 'arts' stylings as the dance basics and before you know it you will be pulling out strings of complex methods that you thought you could not do.


But back to the athletic assessment side, I have to say again that I agree 100% with finding out a students condition before actually giving them a training regime as some may just push themselves to far to soon and ultimately end up doing damage instead of benefit but none the less I also believe that no matter the fitness level they also must be mentally able and willing to perform, in this way I mean to have their mind constantly fed with input in the ways of just as we are doing by 'debating' different aspects of this and that in other posts. Mental training is as important as the physical and must go hand in hand, a persons spirit or faith will ultimately decide how far they are willing to take both.

*...if a warrior is sleeping inside then the outside will be slow and sluggish, reacting on logical response without creative input...*

Freedom Ultimate... !

[HungryWolf21]

Consequently, I hear that dancing with a partner is one of the best "energy drills" around ;-)!!