How Kobe Bryant Does it!

Have to be careful here. Most of you who don't know better will assume this is another praise-crazy article about arguably the best basketball player in the game. Well I do have a lot of good things to say about Kobe, but let's focus on one aspect that many are learning throughout basketball and in the sports landscape in general: Kobe Bryant is one of the physically, brutally strongest athletes in the NBA!

The scene is familiar. Kobe brings the ball down or gets it via a quick pop-pass from Derek Fisher on the wing near half-court. In that Triangle offense he dribbles at a 45% angle to the basket towards the top of the key steps right into the paint where he usually draws a double team. Steps back jumps into the air usually drawing contact from another strong professional athlete. Is somehow able to square his body up to the basket in the air to shoot over hands in his face and 'swish' another through and frustrate the opposition's otherwise good defensive efforts.

This is outside of raw talent, and ability folks. Kobe has to work on his strength immensely to be able to consistently shoot over, under, around, and right into defenders.

As it turns out Kobe is a real 'Meat-Head' (Once again that is the utmost in compliments in Gym lore in describing a professional athlete) this means that he has to take his weight training 'deadly serious' particularly in the off season. In a recent interview with Muscle and Fitness magazine Kobe summed it up in a way that should be a lesson to all of you Hoops Hotshots out there: MF: So specifically though, in the off-season, what kind of weight lifting are you doing? Is it explosive movements, like plyometrics?

Kobe: Not really, it's all Olympic lifts. I do a lot of track work.

MF: So like snatches, things like that?

Kobe: Yeah, clean-pulls, deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts, back squats, things of that nature.

Well what do you know? The best basketball player of our time (whose team is up 1-0 in the championship series at the writing of this blog) has to work at it? And includes actually stepping in the weight room? Have you noticed as well that even though Kobe has been injured in his career that he seems to be able to bounce back rather quickly? Ya think his off season training has anything to do with that?

So hoopsters unlike your football brothers and sisters you have close to 6 months to get ready to play. Be ready! Hit the gym hard now! You could help your team hoist a championship trophy in March.

Blogger turns over a new Leaf? Or Smashes the old one!

After much contemplation I have decided to turn this blog into a Strength and Conditioning Blog.

Why you ask? Wow! you must have ESPN or somethin' I decided to be honest with myself in that I cannot stoop to the levels to typical sports blogging. "I hate this". "I can't stand him" or "they are losers" seems to permeate sports media these days. Long gone are the days of simply enjoying sport for what it is to this humble observer: Entertainment. Not the meaning of life!

So seeing how it is clear that the 'kid' doesn't want any part of that landscape, I am taking this internet manifesto fest into areas where I can personally help ya'll folks.

As a strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer for over 35 years; I too often see athletes in the gym working out without any direction toward their particular sport. With budget cuts and the like hitting every school system like a Gulf oil spill, It is usually up to the coach or assistant coach who may or may not have the expertise to supervise and implement the strength and conditioning programs at his or her school.

God bless every single one of you coaches out there who are put into this position, and I wish you the best because I know you are doing your best for your kids and your program. Unfortunately this can leave a gap between the teams that have and those that have not or almost have.

Hopefully with this blog I can help those coaches that wish to have their athletes "bigger, stronger and faster" by the time camp starts in August. Right now I am helping out a good friend whose High School football team is coming off its first championship in the young history of the program.

I will share some of the concepts here and execution of the program for the 30 kids that are involved in the program this summer.

Feel free to post questions or comments here and I will do my best to answer them. If I can't I have access to some of the best minds in the business who have helped me help athletes be the 'best that they can be.' I look forward to this new endeavor. If you need any help with your program specifically come visit the US Sports Online Strength & Conditioning System

There I can design and deliver 3 month, 6 month, or year round strength and conditioning programs for individuals or teams to help you be your biggest, fastest, and strongest when you hit the field, court, pool, or course.

It is time for some consistent positive sports talk. Well folks here it is.