Field testing and monitoring training
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 10:28 am
I am interested in hearing from some of the coaches out there what kind of field testing you do to monitor your athlete's fitness levels?
IMO, I think that the field tests should involve "non-traditional" movements that mirror the macrocycle that you are currently in. What I mean by "non-traditional" is that it should not be a movement (or series of movements) that the individuals routinely complete. This somewhat normalizes out the idea of it being a learned skill (like the VERTEC at the NFL Combine etc.). Additionally, I think it should mirror the type of training currently being completed (i.e. not a 15m fly in the middle of October, but not a :49 second test in the middle of May either). That said, I think that a 15m fly could be performed monthly or bi-monthly so monitor the progress as well--the type of test must have a purpose.
Some of the tests that I like are standing broad jumps (single and multiple hops), vertical jumps, overhead shot throws, underhand shot throws, 15m fly, :23 and :49 tests.
I have seen people using some crazy things out there, 10m of single leg hops for time for example, alternate bounding for time and distance etc.
What are other people doing out there?
IMO, I think that the field tests should involve "non-traditional" movements that mirror the macrocycle that you are currently in. What I mean by "non-traditional" is that it should not be a movement (or series of movements) that the individuals routinely complete. This somewhat normalizes out the idea of it being a learned skill (like the VERTEC at the NFL Combine etc.). Additionally, I think it should mirror the type of training currently being completed (i.e. not a 15m fly in the middle of October, but not a :49 second test in the middle of May either). That said, I think that a 15m fly could be performed monthly or bi-monthly so monitor the progress as well--the type of test must have a purpose.
Some of the tests that I like are standing broad jumps (single and multiple hops), vertical jumps, overhead shot throws, underhand shot throws, 15m fly, :23 and :49 tests.
I have seen people using some crazy things out there, 10m of single leg hops for time for example, alternate bounding for time and distance etc.
What are other people doing out there?