QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Tips on Improving a Weak Second Pull
When the second pull is weak, look to the first pull. The body positions of the second pull are so favorable, that you should always feel strong when the back starts to whip… so, look to the weight coming off the floor.
Rack Work
Dick Smith from the old York Barbell Club was the one who really understood the rack work, in fact, to quote Dick “Hoffman NEVER understood the rack work.”
Turning 50 Issues
A couple of quick suggestions: first, the role of hypertrophy needs to be addressed. One of things that starts to mellow out is the “passion” to train. Honestly, I don’t have the answer there, but a few years ago, DHEA was argued to be the answer here. So, whatever it takes to reignite the spark, do it. I suggest camps, workshops, seminars, or any kind of full leap back into whatever lights you up. Relearn everything. I think that might be part of the reason things like the RKC really got me going again. Call it immersion.
Hooking
I used to have the theory that you “hook, hook, hook.” After reading Kono’s book and talking with others, I am not so sure. Hooking really helps your snatch, probably helps your clean, too, but it isn’t as obvious. That said, you have to ask yourself…”is the couple of weeks of thumb pain worth learning it?”
Overhead Squats: Adding to a program
Overhead squats! Here I am, the self proclaimed ambassador of overhead squats, willing to go anywhere on the globe to preach the message, and I nearly forgot them!
OS build lower back strength as well as anything. They really build your spinal erectors in an odd way: sort of like an isometric but a “movement isometric.”
Overhead Squats
Obviously, from about 2001 or so…an answer to an Overhead Squat question.
I get the bar overhead for O.Squats by snatching it from the floor. I gave my racks away a couple of years ago, so I take everything from the floor. However, when I go out to Juan Diego Catholic High School, I use their racks and push jerk them up with the snatch grip. I find I can add a lot of weight with the racks, but, for me, the amount on the bar is no longer much of an issue.
Rotational Strength
In response to an inquiry on rotational strength, let me ramble on for a few hours.
First, I have tried as a coach and a thrower to do every thing possible to build this aspect of my throw. It is harder than you think. I would always argue a good base of ab work for any thrower. We did a variety of crunches, situps, various ground based twists, and leg raises. I found that medicine ball throws were a very valuable addition, too. At times, I became lethal at those medicine ball situps where you try to bury your training partner after coming up.
Archive of a Long Conversation
The following is a series of discussion between me, Brooks Kubik, and Andy Fochtman discussing the programs. You can find them for free here:
http://www.sandowplus.co.uk/Competition/Hoffman/hoffmanindex.htm These are unedited and confusing and will remain that way.
Ephedrine Question
The word about ephedrine in the throwing sports is that it does help burn fat and make your lifting go better (but it can really screw up your throwing with the whole “rage” issue), but your nervous system gets beat up very quick.
Odd comment, perhaps, but “I’ve been told” that it works for a while, then you just crash. A buddy of mine used to take a lot of OTC ephedrine when it was ‘more’ legal and he would have great workouts for a while, then simply not be able to get ready for track meets. It seems to keep you in “battle mode” for waaay too long and you can’t pull yourself up for competition.
Q and A’s from the Draper Forum
I’m curious about Coach’s thoughts on pre-performance psyching for himself, for his HSers, etc. Do you have a different line of thought for your own performance? Do you advise differently according to age, gender, or sport?
Honestly, other than telling a kid to get focused and small technical reminders or cues about technique or breathing, I don’t coach a lot in others.
Boris
Subscribe via RSS
Loading ...