'Magical' Quotes

Since Colin Jackson began commentating, the word 'magical' has lost all meaning. No adjective has been so abused by one individual. However, below are a few quotes I have stumbled on over the past few months from various places, including twitter and the World Athletics Centre website. Each of these statements have had a lasting impression on me, and have shaped my own coaching and training.

The twitter handles are written where appropriate and a special mentioned goes out to @MikeYoung for posting some of these quotes on twitter from a Speed Summit last August. If you're serious about sprinting, you need to be following these guys!

There is a work/rest ratio tipping point based on age/experience – less volume can often improve performance @PfaffSC

Read any interview with any Olympian over 33yrs old – first thing they say is “I changed how I trained ” @PfaffSC

When I finally figured out less is more, I learned how to manage my personal work habits @PfaffSC

It has been my experience that there are many non-specific factors that improve performance @bodybyobrien

“You don’t have to be perfect to be fast” @StuartMcMillan1

What is your genetic propensity to train? Potential for power? Recovery? Injury prev. @KoeniGator @athletigen

For top end speed, we need to look outside of the weight room....specific plyo types & sprinting are the most specific means

Extra weight is a bad thing if you're trying to maximize speed - Weyand

Volume has a place but needs to be balanced with high intensity load - Dugas

What abilities do you sacrifice by getting “strong in a hurry” – coordination, fine motor control. @CoachSanAndreas

Avoid fostering catastrophic thinking – don’t make every session, cycle, season a critical one. @PfaffSC

Over the years, training volumes decrease, and success seems to improve. @CoachSanAndreas

‘The grind’ can get you far into a career – however at some point it becomes the fatal flaw. @PfaffSC

The athlete is often the best judge of when they are feeling best. Listen.

“Better athletes spend more time in front side mechanics” - Dr Gerry Ramogida

Plan B protocols utilize dribble series to re-introduce sprint mechanics & velocities.

“POSTURE – a recurring focus – critical to be reinforced by both coach and therapist” - Dr Gerry Ramogida

“70 hours of sleep per week seems to fix many problems from a therapeutic perspective” - Dan Pfaff

Sleep, hydration, and nutrition are the platform on which high performance is built. @DrGerryRamogida

Resisted runs & hills are a more specific way of developing acceleration abilities in a manner that facilitates good mechanics

At moderate speed & faster, hip excursion (step length) doesn't change...so running faster occurs from decreasing contact time