Darkside Rules(Featured interview presented in the www.CBAthletics.com newsletter)
Engaged in the field of physical/psychological/tactical preparedness training, James Smith’s coaching and programming strategies are a result of years of practical experience spent under the barbell unified with self learning. Along with corresponding and learning from the most respected and accomplished individuals in the field; James is a student of Soviet and Eastern Bloc training methodologies and is engaged in the constant pursuit to further his own physical conditioning and coaching abilities. As the founder of www.PowerDevelopmentInc.com James is able to communicate his particular views on the training and development of the physiological mechanisms which contribute to the heightened potential of an athlete’s ability to express sport skill.
Most recently James’ coaching and programming strategies contributed to the West Valley Eagles V. Football team winning the 2004 NSCIF Div 1 Championships (CA). James is also part of the coaching staff for the Eagles 2005 Track and Field team whose varsity boys are currently undefeated in the North Section. Along with his work at the high school level, following is a list of disciplines which James’ current and former trainees participate in: Football, Track and Field, Wrestling, Basketball, Powerlifting, MMA, US Navy SEALs, US Army Special Forces Trainees, US Navy Divers, Australian SAS trainees, and Federal Air Marshals.
CB: What did Russia have on us in terms of developing athletes?
JS: I believe that this question could just as appropriately be phrased as “What does Russia have on us in terms of developing athletes?” and the answer is as follows: - a multi-year/multi-faceted training program entitled the Process of Attaining Sports Mastery (PASM) which develops every psychological/physical/tactical/technical regime of sport performance- a coaching dynamic which encompasses coaches working in unison with other coaches and scientists which yields a collective of experts supporting every great athlete
CB: What are the biggest things that you have implemented in your training of young athletes because of what you learned was done in Russia?
JS: Developing an understanding of General Physical Preparedness (GPP) has greatly influenced my views on training young athletes. I make sure that the young athlete develops the foundational level of preparedness that will raise their capacity to more safely and effectively engage in various types of training in the future. This will ultimately facilitate a rise in their sport skill potential.
CB: What are S&C coaches and sport coaches doing today that hurt their athletes?
JS: Encouraging early specialization and failing to establish GPP prior to the initiation of methodics which demand higher levels of preparedness to safely and effectively perform.
CB: What is wrong with the commonly used linear periodization scheme here in North America? And who has it right here in the USA?
JS: In short, Linear Planning will prove effective for novices and significantly detrained subjects for a limited amount of time. The very nature of linear planning yields diminishing returns as the one dimensional nature of the model does not provide maintenance or retention volumes for traits which are not emphasized during any particular block. Subsequently, as one quality is developed via concentrated loading; all others developed in previous cycles diminish. I think that awareness is really being heightened and I am hopeful that the Dark Side efforts which are initiated at www.elitefts.com, www.powerdevelopmentinc.com, www.charliefrancis.com, www.inno-sport.net, www.westside-barbell.com, etc, are gaining popularity in the field.
CB: Where should S&C coaches start to improve their training?
JS: Develop an understanding of the physiology of our organism, the physiological effects of training methodics, and an understanding of the PASM.
CB: What can we still do with 16-18 year olds that have never even trained before? What about those that have been brought along improperly?
JS: We can initiate a tremendous amount of methodics. A starting point is a point of origin regardless of chronological or biological age. An awareness of training and physiology will ensure that only the most appropriate methodics are introduced regardless of preparedness level. Those that have been improperly trained must under go motor re-learning to various extents in order establish required levels of preparedness for which ever training methodics are appropriate for their particular sport.
CB: At what age should youngsters start formal training? What were Russian kids doing at age 5-6?
JS: I personally believe that training can begin shortly after birth. I believe that basic skills can be acquired at a very early age which will serve to set a foundation for long term training and development. I must state; however, that my view is somewhat theoretical/academic as I have yet to work with any subjects this young. In so far as I have learned; the Russians utilize many Gymnastics methodics with their young school age children along with numerous games/sports/activities which all serve to build various components of GPP.
CB: And to those that say the Russians just used drugs to get their results, you say?
JS: Wake Up! And pull the veil of ignorance from over your head. Superior training is the answer. I am quite confident that America leads the way with the misdirected utilization of anabolic/androgenic steroids.
CB: What is your method of physical assessment?
JS: The answer to this is almost entirely relative to the training goal. From a general standpoint I may test or consider the following:- Somatotype/skeletal structure- What positions the athlete can achieve (this encompasses mobility and dynamic/static flexibility)- Strength endurance of the trunk (namely abdominals, obliques, and spinal erectors)- Relative strength/relative strength endurance as expressed via various calisthenics- Explosive strength as expressed via various plyometric jumps and medicine ball throws- Maximal strength as expressed via various compound lifts- Short sprint speed- Conditioning as expressed via various regimes of energy system work specific to training goal I must note; however, that I don’t get too academic with assessments. All I want to do is to identify their preparedness level so that I may introduce methodics which are optimal and appropriate relative to the athlete and the training goal.
CB: How do you prioritize an athlete’s training?
JS: I view the PASM just as it is; a highly complex and organic whole comprised of many parts. Thus, although I feel it is crucial, from a comprehensive standpoint, to understand and delineate between GPP, Special Strength Preparedness (SSP), and Special Physical Preparedness (SPP); I consider the various components of the training process as being strongly inter-related and mutually dependent. Meaning; both non-specific and specific methods exist as an organic and dynamic process that tax the organism in different yet cumulative ways. I try and maintain a global perspective over all the stressors that the athlete is subject to via weight training, conditioning, sport practice, competition, etc. In so doing, all is one and one is all. I am absolutely as student of this concept as I continually try to enhance my understanding of the PASM.
CB: How much variety is needed in a young athlete’s program?
JS: I believe that the more skills a child is able to usefully assimilate will render them that much more capable of achieving higher levels of preparedness at earlier stages, thereby, accelerating the PASM.
CB: How and when do you introduce plyos into young athlete’s program?
JS: I currently work primarily with high school age athletes. Thus, I deal with athletes who are widely varying in preparedness levels. Accordingly, some may be ready at the get go for initiating plyometric jumps/landings, etc, whereas, others may require a long road of preparation prior to the initiation of these means. For an athlete who is already able to demonstrate proper biomechanical positions I favor the progression of jumps up, followed by landings, followed by depth jumps. I most note, however, that I do not believe that all athletes need perform plyometric/ballistic jump training. For those who are unable to demonstrate proper positions; I will start with positions, and in the case of plyometric muscle action; they must learn how to first absorb force via low intensity landings.
CB: Do you use eccentrics, isometrics, etc.?
JS: Absolutely, but it is all entirely relative to the preparedness of the athlete and the training goal. Various regimes of eccentric and isometric work, combined with dynamic and explosive muscle action, are extremely effective for establishing and developing proper positioning, power, max strength, coordination, and strength endurance.
CB: Do you have any guidelines on how to progress?
JS: One multi-faceted step at a time. Interested viewers may view my strategies at my website www.powerdevelopmentinc.com as well as at www.elitefts.com where I function as a writer and Q and A staff member.
Engaged in the field of physical/psychological/tactical preparedness training, James Smith’s coaching and programming strategies are a result of years of practical experience spent under the barbell unified with self learning. Along with corresponding and learning from the most respected and accomplished individuals in the field; James is a student of Soviet and Eastern Bloc training methodologies and is engaged in the constant pursuit to further his own physical conditioning and coaching abilities. As the founder of www.PowerDevelopmentInc.com James is able to communicate his particular views on the training and development of the physiological mechanisms which contribute to the heightened potential of an athlete’s ability to express sport skill.
Most recently James’ coaching and programming strategies contributed to the West Valley Eagles V. Football team winning the 2004 NSCIF Div 1 Championships (CA). James is also part of the coaching staff for the Eagles 2005 Track and Field team whose varsity boys are currently undefeated in the North Section. Along with his work at the high school level, following is a list of disciplines which James’ current and former trainees participate in: Football, Track and Field, Wrestling, Basketball, Powerlifting, MMA, US Navy SEALs, US Army Special Forces Trainees, US Navy Divers, Australian SAS trainees, and Federal Air Marshals.
CB: What did Russia have on us in terms of developing athletes?
JS: I believe that this question could just as appropriately be phrased as “What does Russia have on us in terms of developing athletes?” and the answer is as follows: - a multi-year/multi-faceted training program entitled the Process of Attaining Sports Mastery (PASM) which develops every psychological/physical/tactical/technical regime of sport performance- a coaching dynamic which encompasses coaches working in unison with other coaches and scientists which yields a collective of experts supporting every great athlete
CB: What are the biggest things that you have implemented in your training of young athletes because of what you learned was done in Russia?
JS: Developing an understanding of General Physical Preparedness (GPP) has greatly influenced my views on training young athletes. I make sure that the young athlete develops the foundational level of preparedness that will raise their capacity to more safely and effectively engage in various types of training in the future. This will ultimately facilitate a rise in their sport skill potential.
CB: What are S&C coaches and sport coaches doing today that hurt their athletes?
JS: Encouraging early specialization and failing to establish GPP prior to the initiation of methodics which demand higher levels of preparedness to safely and effectively perform.
CB: What is wrong with the commonly used linear periodization scheme here in North America? And who has it right here in the USA?
JS: In short, Linear Planning will prove effective for novices and significantly detrained subjects for a limited amount of time. The very nature of linear planning yields diminishing returns as the one dimensional nature of the model does not provide maintenance or retention volumes for traits which are not emphasized during any particular block. Subsequently, as one quality is developed via concentrated loading; all others developed in previous cycles diminish. I think that awareness is really being heightened and I am hopeful that the Dark Side efforts which are initiated at www.elitefts.com, www.powerdevelopmentinc.com, www.charliefrancis.com, www.inno-sport.net, www.westside-barbell.com, etc, are gaining popularity in the field.
CB: Where should S&C coaches start to improve their training?
JS: Develop an understanding of the physiology of our organism, the physiological effects of training methodics, and an understanding of the PASM.
CB: What can we still do with 16-18 year olds that have never even trained before? What about those that have been brought along improperly?
JS: We can initiate a tremendous amount of methodics. A starting point is a point of origin regardless of chronological or biological age. An awareness of training and physiology will ensure that only the most appropriate methodics are introduced regardless of preparedness level. Those that have been improperly trained must under go motor re-learning to various extents in order establish required levels of preparedness for which ever training methodics are appropriate for their particular sport.
CB: At what age should youngsters start formal training? What were Russian kids doing at age 5-6?
JS: I personally believe that training can begin shortly after birth. I believe that basic skills can be acquired at a very early age which will serve to set a foundation for long term training and development. I must state; however, that my view is somewhat theoretical/academic as I have yet to work with any subjects this young. In so far as I have learned; the Russians utilize many Gymnastics methodics with their young school age children along with numerous games/sports/activities which all serve to build various components of GPP.
CB: And to those that say the Russians just used drugs to get their results, you say?
JS: Wake Up! And pull the veil of ignorance from over your head. Superior training is the answer. I am quite confident that America leads the way with the misdirected utilization of anabolic/androgenic steroids.
CB: What is your method of physical assessment?
JS: The answer to this is almost entirely relative to the training goal. From a general standpoint I may test or consider the following:- Somatotype/skeletal structure- What positions the athlete can achieve (this encompasses mobility and dynamic/static flexibility)- Strength endurance of the trunk (namely abdominals, obliques, and spinal erectors)- Relative strength/relative strength endurance as expressed via various calisthenics- Explosive strength as expressed via various plyometric jumps and medicine ball throws- Maximal strength as expressed via various compound lifts- Short sprint speed- Conditioning as expressed via various regimes of energy system work specific to training goal I must note; however, that I don’t get too academic with assessments. All I want to do is to identify their preparedness level so that I may introduce methodics which are optimal and appropriate relative to the athlete and the training goal.
CB: How do you prioritize an athlete’s training?
JS: I view the PASM just as it is; a highly complex and organic whole comprised of many parts. Thus, although I feel it is crucial, from a comprehensive standpoint, to understand and delineate between GPP, Special Strength Preparedness (SSP), and Special Physical Preparedness (SPP); I consider the various components of the training process as being strongly inter-related and mutually dependent. Meaning; both non-specific and specific methods exist as an organic and dynamic process that tax the organism in different yet cumulative ways. I try and maintain a global perspective over all the stressors that the athlete is subject to via weight training, conditioning, sport practice, competition, etc. In so doing, all is one and one is all. I am absolutely as student of this concept as I continually try to enhance my understanding of the PASM.
CB: How much variety is needed in a young athlete’s program?
JS: I believe that the more skills a child is able to usefully assimilate will render them that much more capable of achieving higher levels of preparedness at earlier stages, thereby, accelerating the PASM.
CB: How and when do you introduce plyos into young athlete’s program?
JS: I currently work primarily with high school age athletes. Thus, I deal with athletes who are widely varying in preparedness levels. Accordingly, some may be ready at the get go for initiating plyometric jumps/landings, etc, whereas, others may require a long road of preparation prior to the initiation of these means. For an athlete who is already able to demonstrate proper biomechanical positions I favor the progression of jumps up, followed by landings, followed by depth jumps. I most note, however, that I do not believe that all athletes need perform plyometric/ballistic jump training. For those who are unable to demonstrate proper positions; I will start with positions, and in the case of plyometric muscle action; they must learn how to first absorb force via low intensity landings.
CB: Do you use eccentrics, isometrics, etc.?
JS: Absolutely, but it is all entirely relative to the preparedness of the athlete and the training goal. Various regimes of eccentric and isometric work, combined with dynamic and explosive muscle action, are extremely effective for establishing and developing proper positioning, power, max strength, coordination, and strength endurance.
CB: Do you have any guidelines on how to progress?
JS: One multi-faceted step at a time. Interested viewers may view my strategies at my website www.powerdevelopmentinc.com as well as at www.elitefts.com where I function as a writer and Q and A staff member.