Thursday, March 7, 2013

Trends & Issues - # 1


 This article will focus on some current trends and issues I see in basketball.

One trend I see at all levels of basketball (pee-wee, playground, high school, college and professional) is a lack of flexibility.  By saying “lack of flexibility” is giving the impression there actually is some.  The level of flexibility I have seen over the years (I have been doing this for over fifteen years) is pathetic.  Basically it is non-existent.

Flexibility isn’t given the priority it deserves at the early stages of basketball development and is given even less attention as the level of play increases.  Flexibility is a physical sub-quality that affects all other sub-qualities – strength, speed and endurance.  If by some miracle a coach does in fact designate a certain amount of time for stretching, it is overwhelmingly only a few minutes and the wrong type of stretching to be performed before a practice or game.  By performing the wrong type of stretching will weaken a muscle and therefore increase the risk of an injury. 

The credo for doctors is “physician do no harm”.  The same should apply to coaches.  I am often asked, “what is the most common injury” for each sport.  Every single time regardless of the sport I will answer – coaches.

To get more specific as far as bodyparts / joints; the ankle, hip and lower back need the most attention.  When those three areas are capable of achieving full ROM (range of motion), performance will improve, there will be a decrease in the risk of injury and the athlete’s playing career will be extended.

Another issue I see with males but more so with females is the belief that lifting weights will make someone “muscle bound” and affect their shot.  Read the first three paragraphs.  Prioritize flexibility and one will not get “muscle bound”.  As far as affecting one’s shot, this is true.  It will affect it in a positive way.  Weight training will improve a player’s shot by helping accuracy and distance.  Plus news flash, basketball is a contact sport.  You will be able to play more physically.

Most athletes don’t understand the fact that weight training is a stimulus and improvements take place outside of the gym.  The improvements take place through proper recovery.  One huge issue is poor nutrition.  At the lower level with all the tournament play, athletes are eating pure crap.  Yes, it is cheap and convenient but it is cheap and convenient crap.  At the higher levels the athletes think every now and then a “cheat” or “junk” meal won’t hurt them.  No matter what level of play an athlete cannot out-train a poor diet.  A sports car needs the right octane fuel, fluid levels, tight belts and correct tire pressure to perform at a high performance level.  Why wouldn’t an athlete also want to perform at a high level?  It will not happen with an inferior nutritional program.

The second trend I will speak about it focusing on only one sport.  First off, at the early ages of play, young athletes are developing motor skills, movement patterns and energy systems.  By focusing on only one sport the athlete’s future athletic potential has been greatly compromised.  Playing multiple sports at an early age will expose an athlete to various motor skills, movement patterns and energy systems.  This will greatly extend an athlete’s athletic potential.

The final trend I will speak about in regards to playing one sport (volleyball and softball are two other examples) is the fact that it is played year round.  When is the off-season?  Does anyone understand the purpose of an off-season?  It is a break.  Not a vacation or an excuse to sit on your butt playing video games and eating crap.  This is the time to focus on correcting any imbalances the sport has created (every sport creates some imbalances), work on improving your weaknesses and re-establishing your fundamentals. 

Every once in a while there are exceptions to the rule.  Two examples would be Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.  The likelihood your young athlete is the next Kobe or LeBron is slim to none.  Pay attention to the details for it is the little things that separate good athletes from great athletes.



Coach Stoll

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Introduction-Coach Stoll

For a while now GRS Pro has mentioned my name and the work I have done with their founder, 
DeAndre' Austin, and a few of his young athletes.  It is very difficult for me to write an article, 
not that I do not have enough information on a topic but just the opposite, I have too much.  
It is much easier for me to present at a seminar where I can direct the topic towards the majority 
of the people in attendance or stay on a topic longer if I feel the majority do not quite understand 
what I am saying.  In other words, I can make a seminar more personal.


The other issue is that in this day and age of technology there is an enormous amount of incorrect 
information being spread across the world wide web by individuals who have the gift of writing very 
eloquently but do not have a clue about what they just wrote.

In other words, they talk the talk but do not walk the walk.  They also haven't produced an athlete at 
any level, much less a winning athlete.  And because of the internet many coaches and personal trainers 
are being exposed to topics that they do not understand and have no knowledge on how to implement 
into an athlete's training.

The bottom line is that I am brutally honest.  I do not pull punches and if I offend someone unintentionally 
they need to grow thicker skin.  I take my job very seriously.  I know that in my position I am a role 
model and accept it.  Parents trust me with their young athletes' future potential.

I am not going to change my tone and I am not going to be "nice".  The only thing I will do is keep my 
language clean because the topics I will write about should be read by both the parents and the athletes.

Even though I train athletes I also educate them.  At the same time it is also important that the parents 
are also educated so that they will understand what I am doing to their athletes.

There are so many topics I could write about which also makes it difficult for me to write an article. 
I may write an article on a topic based on a trend or something which I realize needs to be made known.  
I cannot promise any patterns.  The only thing I will promise is that I will do my best to educate and most definitely be brutally honest.

And so it begins.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Renaissance Men




















I encourage everyone to take a look at the trailer of an up and coming basketball movie 
called, "Renaissance Men" written and directed by Nate Bellamy jr. This is a great historical 
piece that I believe sports fanatics will enjoy. Copy and paste the link below:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBtCyELa8TA

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

GRS PRO IQ Design

  





























What's your IQ? 

This design represents passion, hard work, dedication, and good decision making on and off the court. Being a student of the game will help you become a great student of everyday life. Be aware of the opportunities presented to you through sports activities and stay on top of your school books. Your mind can be the strongest muscle on your body if you exercise and feed it properly. Pay your dues now so you can play later, versus playing now and paying later. Stay motivated. -DeAndre Austin

What's your IQ? designed by Jason Covington and Jon Price. Follow GRS Pro on twitter @grspro

GRS PRO H2O Design

























 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WET!!!!


GRS Pro H2O t-shirts and hoody's are available at www.grs-pro.com.
website designed by Tiffaniink.com. GRS Pro H2O designed by Cesar Santos.
Follow GRS Pro on twitter @grspro