Recognizing that the body is a kinetic chain we need to
always be aware of how we are making connections between all the links in the
chain. It too easy to fall into a reductionist approach that would have us focus on the links. A functional
approach focuses on the linkages. We get more efficient by how we connect the
links; therefore a major objective of training is connecting. Are we in fact
connecting or are we disconnecting? We need to understand the end result we
desire, how are the links in the chain connected and timed up? Remember that
the core is the relay center; it is the center of the action, but not the
originator of the action. We should not try to isolate the muscles of the core
anymore that we should any other muscles of the body. We must always take into
consideration that we are bipedal land animals so to insure that all
connections are made we must build from the ground up based on the gait cycle.
It may seem basic but we need to know what we are connecting. Why are we
connecting them? How are we connecting them? Then we need to understand how the
exercises we use in training are connecting to the skill required in the
movement or the sport. Is the movement similar or same? Does the athlete make
the connection? When all connections are made then the result is coordinated, flowing,
efficient, rhythmic movement that allows the athlete to execute flawlessly.
