Stop and think for a minute – It takes approximately .8 of a second to express maximal strength. Most athletic movements take place in the range of .2 to .5 of a second. So why do we spend such an inordinate amount of time emphasizing maximal strength? Is it because it is measurable? Is it because it is convenient? Is it a misunderstanding of the principle of overload?
Can you see the basic disconnect here? Isn’t it more important to develop strength you can use? Think about strength training as coordination training with appropriate resistance to allow you to produce or reduce force in .2 to .4 of a second. Train appropriate for the strength and power demands of the sport. Just remember too often what happens in the weight room stays in the weight room. Get outside the confinement of the weight room walls and open up a whole new vista for performance improvement. Think athletic development not strength and conditioning. Build a robust athlete prepared for the demands of the sport.