Yesterday one of my Twitter posts caused a firestorm of responses:

Do you believe basketball players should do 'max testing' in the weight room (exercises like bench / squat / power clean for a 1 rep max)? Why? Why not?

It created such a debate of passionate responses, I felt compelled to address it in my blog. 

I sent several follow up Tweets explaining my stance (this topic is not easily covered in 140 characters or less).  Below, in bold, are a few of those Tweets with expanded thoughts.

“I am fine with off-season testing as a way to monitor progress - if (and only if) you use appropriate & applicable tests.”

·         To clarify, I am not opposed to testing.  I am opposed to 1 RM testing in the weight room (seeing how much weight a player can lift one time).  I don’t need a 1 RM to tell me if a player is getting stronger.  If Day #1 he can lift 100 lbs for 10 reps and on Day #60 he can lift 115 lbs for 11 reps… he clearly got stronger and made progress in that particular exercise.  And how is maxing out on a bench press or squat even remotely applicable to basketball? What does their 1 RM score tell me about them as a player? Nothing. 

“I don't believe in 1 rep max strength tests. They are dangerous, impractical, unnecessary, and illogical (for basketball).”

·         This is was the Tweet that set it off!  This is a brash statement - but one I stand behind 100%.

o   Dangerous: Players like to compete, which is an invaluable characteristic.  However, when they are competing to see who can lift the most weight, someone needs to waive a red flag.  If you have ever been in a weight room when a bunch of macho male meatheads are competing for max numbers, you can throw proper form out of the window.  They will arch, bend, and squirm in every way possible to get the weight up. As soon as you combine poor technique with inappropriately heavy loads, your risk of injury gets exponentially higher. That’s not science; that’s common sense. And that’s not even mentioning the increased orthopedic stress placed on the joints, tendons, ligaments, etc.

o   Impractical: Performing a 1 RM is a very specific skill.  Assuming you don’t have 1 RM’s as part of your actual workout program, it means you are testing for a skill that you don’t practice. How practical is that? Plus it doesn’t give you any relevant information.  Testing a basketball player’s 1 RM for strength gains makes no more sense than testing a player’s shooting ability by having them shoot half-court shots. 

o   Unnecessary: I know for a fact that you can run a very safe, progressive, and successful year round strength training program without 1 RM testing, thus making it unnecessary. By definition, ‘necessary’ means ‘essential.’ 1 RM testing is clearing not essential.

o   Illogical: Long arms and long legs are a physiological disadvantage in the weight room (think bench press and squats), yet they are a tremendous advantage on the court.  So to truly excel in 1 RM lifts, you want to have the exact opposite physical characteristics that are coveted in basketball! Why penalize a player for being born with a favorable ‘basketball’ body? Point being… a 6’ 6”, 180 lb high school junior will probably not bench, squat, or power clean very much. So what? If that player is skilled, wouldn’t you want him on your team?

“There is no correlation (zero) between 1 RM test scores and success on the court.”

·         Kevin Durant scored 2^nd to last in the NBA pre-draft combine. It was an eyebrow raiser (to some) that he couldn’t bench press 185 lbs.  I believe it is safe to say KD has turned out OK. Enough said.

“My #1 priority is for my players get progressively stronger & train 'correctly.' I don't care 'how much' they can lift 1 time!”

·         I would prefer a player with great ankle and hip mobility, a strong and stable core, and who can control their bodyweight with perfect form during exercises like multi-directional lunges and pull-ups than a player who can bench press a car.  Since those are the characteristics that are important to me; those are the characteristics I emphasize every workout.  So testing for something other than what I emphasize is foolish and sends a mixed message.

One additional follow up thought… as it came up in a few Twitter exchanges… I don’t use Power Cleans (or any of the Olympic lifts) in my program.  It’s not that they are ‘bad’ exercises… they aren’t… I know several very accomplished strength & conditioning coaches who use them religiously with great results.  I prefer not to use them for 2 reasons:

1.    Most basketball players don’t have the favorable limb lengths to do them safely (because they are long and lean). 

2.    It is a very technical lift.  The time and effort spent teaching and coaching the Power Clean can be better spent on other things.

If you have the ability to coach it correctly and spot every rep for every player, than it may be a viable exercise choice.  In my setting, I am often supervising 20+ players at a time – so overseeing every rep from every player is not an option.  Plus, the benefits derived from doing Power Cleans (improved power/explosiveness through triple extension, etc.) can be accomplished through a combination of more traditional movements and safe plyometrics (see the bullet point on ‘Unnecessary’).

Well there you have it gang… a cursory overview of why I am adamantly opposed to 1 RM testing for basketball players and why I don’t do Power Cleans.

I appreciate everyone who voiced their thoughts through Twitter and Facebook, even if we had differing opinions.  I always enjoy respectable, professional debates!

If you missed out on that action, make sure it doesn’t happen again! Follow along at www.Twitter.com/AlanStein and www.Facebook.com/StrongerTeam.com.

I appreciate you!

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

PS: Here is the warm-up I did with the Jordan Brand Classic All-Americans before practice:

http://youtu.be/Vzf4lB3Et8g

Your warm-up lays the foundation for your workout or practice. Make the most of it!

I try to build my success, brick by brick, and aim to get a little better every day. One of my focal points is improving my leadership. The words ‘coach’ and ‘leader’ are synonymous – so if I want to be the best coach I can be – I must continually grow and develop as a leader.

Some folks think leaders are born; some think they are developed.  I happen to think it is a little bit of both.  Regardless, anyone can work to improve to their leadership skill set.  The traits needed to be a successful leader apply to both players and coaches at every level. If the coach is the only leader in the gym; that team won’t be very successful.  Players need to accept leadership responsibility as well.

“An army of asses led by a lion will always defeat and army of lions led by an ass.”

I heard legendary coach Don Meyer say that at a clinic in Las Vegas a few years ago.  While that quote certainly makes me chuckle, it is brilliant.  You can’t underestimate the power of a great leader.  Great leaders make the impossible seem possible.

Here are 5 traits necessary for effective leadership:

1.    Learn from your mistakes. To be a good leader you have to take calculated risks. You will certainly make mistakes along the way.  Admit them. Learn from them. Don’t repeat them! These mistakes can be in the classroom or on the court.  You have to hold yourself accountable. “Success comes from good decisions.  Good decisions come from experience.  Experience comes from bad decisions.” 

2.    Lead by example. The old adage “do as I say, not as I do” is not true. If you expect something from the people you lead, you have to expect it from yourself.  You must hold yourself accountable before you can to the same for others. If you expect your players or teammates to be on time; then you need to be on time. You can’t talk the talk unless you walk the walk. “Example is not the main thing when influencing others; it is the only thing.”

3.    Be unselfish. Compassion and empathy are important leadership qualities. It is impossible to be selfish and be an effective leader.  If you are a player, are you playing for the scoreboard or the scorebook? If you are a coach, do you listen to your players’ and assistants’ feedback and thoughts? “Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first.”

4.    Have confidence. You have to feel good about yourself to be a good leader. No one is going to follow someone who doesn’t believe in themselves. Confidence comes from a sound work ethic and from being prepared. If you are going into a game and aren’t confident you can win; it’s because you know you didn’t do what was necessary to prepare! “Winning breeds confidence and confidence breeds winning.”

5.    Set a high standard. If you do everything to the best of your ability, then you can expect it from those you lead.  If you are always on time, always work hard, and always put your heart and soul into every practice, workout, and game – then you can expect your teammates and players to do the same.  But you have to trust your teammates and players can meet this standard. A good leader will inspire those they are leading.  You want to be the type of leader who raises the level of everyone around you. Set the bar high and then lead them to it! “The quality of a person’s life is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.”

These are just some of the traits needed to be an effective leader.  Whether you are the point guard on a high school basketball team or an assistant college coach; your ability to be an effective leader will dictate your success as well as your team’s success.

Are you an effective leader?

After giving our players a month to rest, recover, and reflect… we began our off-season workouts last week.

DeMatha Basketball 1st Off-Season Strength Workout of 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpqyqNq-XGQ

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

www.Twitter.com/AlanStein

www.Facebook.com/StrongerTeam

PS: Stay up to date with the latest episodes of the Can He Dunk? Project at www.CanHeDunk.com. New episode airs every Thursday.

Go to http://Shop.StrongerTeam.com and get $10 off the Can He Dunk? training program!

Enter the coupon code: CHDWEB14

Thanks for your support!

Each and every off-season workout, you have a choice to make. You can choose to work hard or you can choose not to work hard.  Not working hard is a choice.  You are 100% in control of the effort you put forth.  For this off-season to be as productive as possible, you need to choose to work hard all of the time!

You need to choose to have a strong ‘want to.’ I want to jump higher or I want to start on varsity next season. Most player’s ‘want to’ is just lip service.  They say they want something but they don’t make the sacrifices necessary to make it happen. 

Think your ‘want to’ is strong?  Let’s say your goal is to gain 10 lbs. this off-season.  If I weighed you on May 1^st and told you on September 1^st I would weigh you again, and if you were 10 lbs. heavier I would give you $1,000,000 cash, would you accept my offer? Of course you would! Think you would achieve your goal? I guarantee you would. You would be so focused and determined you would probably gain 15 lbs. Your ‘want to’ would be unstoppable!  

To maximize your off-season you need to find a way to tap into your ‘want to’ with that type of conviction (even though there isn’t a million dollar prize involved).

Too often players’ ‘want to’ gets weakened by the little voice in their head that says…

"I don’t ‘want to’ work out today. I will get up extra shots tomorrow. I will lift weights tomorrow.” 

If you let that little voice win, your ‘want to’ is weak. If you let that little voice win, you won’t be successful.

How strong is your ‘want to’?

Strengthening your ‘want to’ is not easy. It is OK if you need some help.  In fact, I recommend you get some help. Find someone who pushes you to be the best you can be.  Someone that holds you accountable.  Someone that motivates you, inspires you, and encourages you.  Someone that tells you what you need to hear; not what you want to hear. Someone that gives you energy.  Someone who supports and strengthens your ‘want to’.

Do you have a person like this in your life? 

Train hard. Train smart.

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

www.Twitter.com/AlanStein

www.Facebook.com/StrongerTeam.com

PS: I will be sending out the April edition of our Basketball Nuggets early next week.  These are FREE tidbits and handouts from some of the game’s most brilliant minds.  Click this link to register your email address to automatically receive them every month: http://www.strongerteam.com/RegisterNuggets.aspx

PSS: I will be in Oakville, Ontario on Saturday, April 23^rd running my Cutting Edge Quickness & Reaction Basketball Workout.  

PSSS: I will be in Denton, Texas on Wednesday, April 27^th speaking at a basketball clinic about Off-Season Strength & Conditioning.

Email me at Alan@StrongerTeam.com if you would like info!

I am heading down to Charlotte, NC this week to work the prestigious Jordan Brand All-American Classic – an event that selects the nation’s top boy’s high school basketball players to represent the greatest player to ever lace up sneakers – Michael Jordan.  This event is an honor and privilege to be involved with.  

A special thanks to the Jordan Brand, Nike Basketball, and Position Sports for their outstanding work in putting on this first class event.

Observing elite level players provides me with an invaluable learning experience. Here are some of the traits that make them special:

·         Elite players love to play basketball.  It’s not a hobby or an activity – it is their passion.  They would rather play basketball than do anything else.  When they aren’t playing basketball they are watching it on TV or playing it on PS2! 

Do you have the same love for the game?  

·         Elite players are competitive and hate losing.  They hate losing more than they like winning! Whether they are playing on ESPN or a game of H-O-R-S-E in their backyard, they always compete as hard as they can. They never concede.  They use this competitiveness in their workouts and practices.  They try to ‘win’ every drill.

Does winning matter that much to you?

·         Elite players don’t rely solely on their natural born talents (size & athleticism). They work hard to maximize their fundamentals and understanding of the game. They spend countless hours on their strength & conditioning and working on their skills and basketball IQ.

Do you work on improving every aspect of your game?

·         Elite players enjoy working hard. It’s part of their identity.  They don’t coast and they don’t look for shortcuts.  They get great satisfaction in giving their best effort in everything they do. Working as hard as possible is non-negotiable.

Do you enjoy putting in hard work?

·         Elite players consistently leave their comfort zone during practice and workouts.  They know that the only way they will get better is to attempt things they can’t currently do.  They push themselves to grow and develop. 

Do you know how to be comfortable being uncomfortable?

·         Elite players have the intangibles that don’t show up in the box score.  They have a positive attitude, they are enthusiastic, and they are great teammates.  They make those around them better. They are energy givers, not energy takers. Talent and ability aside, they are the type of player coaches want to coach and players want as teammates. 

Do you make everyone around you better? 

I would be lying if I told you that every ‘elite’ high school player possessed these qualities.  They don’t.  Some are lazy. A few are selfish. But those are the players that don’t make it (or at least don’t live up to their potential). 

Players like Kevin Durant, Maya Moore, Chris Paul, Skylar Diggins, and Harrison Barnes are examples of elite players who epitomize these qualities – they combine a passion for the game, natural talent, solid fundamentals, an unparalleled work ethic & competitiveness, and a fantastic attitude. 

Here is a video of elite level college players going through a series of movement prep exercises and drills to prepare themselves for an intense workout:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3omyde2ncU

We will be taking the Jordan Brand All-Americans through many of these same exercises before each practice!

For JBC insight and updates, make sure you follow www.Twitter.com/AlanStein and www.Twitter.com/JordanClassic  

I will post a new blog next week!

Until then… train hard, train smart.

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

This evening I will speak to a group of a few hundred coaches at the Nike Championship Basketball Clinic at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA.

It is always a pleasure to meet passionate coaches who understand the importance of their own development.

How hard do you work on your craft? 

Whether you are a player, a coach, or a trainer… how much do you work on your own development? An honest answer to this question will dictate your success.  It’s not a mystery; the more effort, energy, and enthusiasm you put into your craft (whether playing or coaching), the more success you will have.

Are you constantly in search of new information? Do you expose yourself to a variety of resources? Do you approach new learning experiences with an open mind?

For my specific situation, there are 5 key areas I want to continuously develop:

1.    Training methodology (exercises & drills, equipment, etc.)

2.    Coaching techniques (ways to motivate, improved communication, etc.)

3.    Relationship building (building rapport, networking, social media, etc.)

4.    Running a business (customer service, branding, marketing, etc.)

5.    Public speaking & writing (speaking at clinics, writing a blog, etc.)

What are the 5 key areas you need to focus on?  Are you working on them every day?  Make sure you look at the big picture – not just the obvious. 

Players, there is a lot more to being a sound basketball player than having a nice jump shot. 

Coaches, there is a lot more to being an effective coach than the X’s and O’s.

My goal to read 50 books every year.  I chose to read books on success, leadership, motivation, mental training, biographies, as well as strength & conditioning to ensure a well rounded approach. 

My goal, whether reading a book, watching a DVD, or attending a clinic is to pick up one new thing.  All I need is one! One new coaching concept or one new drill makes me just a little bit better.  If I can get one new tidbit from a resource I consider it well worth my time and money. 

I recommend you approach all learning opportunities with an open mind; but make sure you stick strong to your own convictions.  Just because a successful player or coach does something doesn’t mean that is the only way or that is how you should do it. Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone defense is a staple at Syracuse; but that doesn’t mean it will work great in your program. Don’t be the coach who goes to a clinic every other weekend and comes back with an entirely new philosophy each time.  Subtle changes and tweaks are vital for success. Your program and your philosophy should always be a work in progress. 

Your development doesn’t always have to come from traditional sources. Hip hop music helps me develop several key skill sets. Despite being a 35 year old father and obvious suburban white guy, I listen to hip hop because brilliant artists like Lil Wayne, Jay Z, and Eminem have amazing control of the English language and portray unbelievable imagery in their words. They are master linguists and have amazing speaking rhythms and creativity. Listening to hip hop makes me a better public speaker and writer.  It also keeps me in touch with today’s youth and helps me form more meaningful relationships with my players.

I am well aware the #1 excuse people make for not working on their craft is lack of time. 

You will never find time for your development… you have to make time for it! 

You don’t need large amounts of time either, strive for quality over quantity. Set aside 15 minutes before you got to bed to read one chapter in a book.  Instead of watching Seinfeld re-runs for the hundredth time; watch a training DVD. Print out a week’s worth of e-newsletters and read them Sunday morning instead of the newspaper.  Listen to Audiobooks on your commute to school or work. 

You can make time if it is important to you.

And aside from your health and your family, what could possibly be more important than growing, developing, and being the best you can be?

I take tremendous pride in helping coaches and players to be the best they can be.  If I can ever be a resource to your development, please don’t hesitate to email me at Alan@StrongerTeam.com.

Lastly, here is the video we showed at our end of season team banquet:

DeMatha Basketball: The Legacy Continues - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDYrRdxsuZc

The best part is, with the exception of Mikael Hopkins (#23), all of these guys will be back next season!

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

www.Twitter.com/AlanStein

www.Facebook.com/StrongerTeam