What's in a System?

System N: A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole.

What’s your system?

Are you creating a strength and conditioning PROGRAM- or are you creating a SYSTEM? Sure- programs make up part of the system- but quite often Strength and Conditioning coaches get lost in the programs- and forget about the organization- the athletes- the cultures that affect it and the game as a whole. An organization deserves a measurable open ended system.

But where do you start?

It all depends on the goals of the organization. Most set out to win- and you’ll be devoted the resources necessary to enact a winning formula. Some however- may see less value in your programs and devote less resources to the Strength and Conditioning department- this is when your system- will have the most impact- where resources are scarce, and you have measurable markers to merit further consideration for resource.

Any system for advancing an athlete in baseball must have a foundation. Anytime- in any sport- that we are focusing on an athlete on solid ground- we must remember- the human body was designed to biolocomote under a gravitational field. Once we objectively define the differentiated environment (baseball field and ball) we can then design the needs the human body has to succeed in the game. (accelerate- decelerate- twist-turn-intercept -pivot-stabilize- guide- throw- recover- repeat)

All systems should start with a fundamental knowledge of human movement sciences. Stabilization (of all joints and connective tissues) optimal strength (the force coupling around the joints) and the neurological development of Power- all follow a sound sequential model for baseball that (1) reduces injuries and (2) creates power.

The OPT (Optimal Performance Training) model was first introduced by a team of practitioners at Physiotherapy Associates Tempe Sport Clinic. While on site- Dr. Michael Clarke expanded and contracted the model to become the foundation of learning for the National Academy of Sports Medicine- to which many trainers and athletes subscribe to – today. It’s the model that has kept Shaq in the NBA game- and for me- to enhance throwing velocities of Pitchers- create bat speed improvements in hitters, and reduce soft tissue injuries significantly over the years in professional baseball.

A system, however, is only as good as your ability to improve it. Whatever system you adopt for performance training your athletes- it should be (A) Scientifically Founded (B) Measureable and (C) Open Ended- to allow continuous improvement.

Training athletes? Make sure you have a system in mind before you create the programs within it.