The importance of strength training

In athletic development process, strength training is possibly the most important area because it is the underlying quality of so many other components. Strength is a prerequisite for speed and for jumping. It is a prominent factor in injury prevention. Strength is a term that incorporates a spectrum of activities and training methods, all of which are designed to meet the force requirements of the particular sport.

The functional path in strength training requires the interaction of the body, gravity, and the ground. It involves a progressive spectrum of resistance modes culminating in high speed, high force activities. Strength training for athletic performance involves the application of basic concepts:

Train movements, not muscles

Train core strength before extremity strength

Build strength from the ground up

Incorporate pushing, pulling, and squatting movements that enhance linkage.