Is there such a thing as sport specific training?

The (insert sport here) specific agility programme

Or, endurance, or power or speed and so on. This is what is advertised, and it is what sportspeople want. Basketball specific, tennis-specific and so on. But the question I always have is.

Is it Athlete specific?

Whether you are running after a rugby ball, basketball or tennis ball, the initial start is the same. Recently working on some fundamental movements with athletes from different sports has been interesting. Not only are some sports more open-minded, but also athletes within those sports.

The less “sport-specific” work the athlete has done, often means that they can actually move better. Too much specific work that has been caught up in historical coaching baggage can lead to restricted movements physically and inhibited movements mentally.

One fencer told me that she doesn’t have to move her hips when fencing.

Several tennis players said they don’t have to push fast off the first step when moving laterally playing tennis.

This leads me to believe that the sporting context has had so many “sport-specific” drills practised endlessly without looking at how to improve them, except by doing more.

Conversely, Rugby players have been obsessed with the bench press, but not in the application of force and power in the game. Working on this in a session is not “warming up for the bench”, it is helping the athlete apply his strength in the game... where it counts.

Whole, Part, Whole

Play the sport, break it down and improve specific aspects of it, then put it back into context.  Part of this is coach education, part of it is athlete education. This can’t get fixed in one session, but it can be developed over time.

Here you can see a breakdown of part of the soccer game that requires strength and balance: I often take out parts to train like this rather than concoct silly exercises in the gym that may/ may not have transfer to the sport.

Work on the athlete and the sporting skill. Don’t sacrifice one for the other for short term “Win on Wednesday” answers.

Read more here How to take charge of your fitness training