Why Linear Speed Should Proceed Skill Acquisition in Long-Term Programming
Modern sports performance has placed a huge emphasis on bridging the gap between skill acquisition and sports performance. Rightfully so.
The more in sync skill and performance coaches are, the more holistically developed the athlete will be.
How do we define skill acquisition?
Skill acquisition, also referred to as motor learning and control, is the interdisciplinary science of intention, perception, action, and calibration of the performer-environment relationship. In particular, skill acquisition is an umbrella term specific to the knowledge of and knowledge about what behavioral and neurological variables influence central nervous system adaptation in response to the learning or re-learning of a motor skill [5]. In simplified terms, skill acquisition refers to voluntary control over movements of joints and body segments in an effort to solve a motor skill problem and achieve a task goal. Magil 2007.
In basketball particularly, skill is acquired year around. I’ve worked with athletes who have played in over 120 games, 300 skill sessions, and 500 practices in a calendar year. I record all external playing volume for our athletes. Those numbers are NOT a typo.
I read, @ PJF who has stated multiple times - Playing year around is extremely advantageous for developing hoopers. However, choosing where and when to use high motor skill based exercises in the weight room is a SKILL for a coach. We’ve stated multiple times, linear speed should proceed skill acquisition in a long term speed program.
#1 Long Term Collision Management
What is a collision? Collision in sport occurs upon various intensity based ground contacts. All ground contacts are not created equal. Shorter distance based ground contacts are longer in time but less impact holistically on one’s structure. A velocity increases, force increases and ground contacts decrease. Accumulated collisions in the form of acute, multiplanar movements (cutting, bounding, decelerating etc.) are what can lead to acute freak injuries. Yes, in theory you are increasing motor learning, synapse firing, and building a bigger movement bank. Contrarily, you are also adding to the collision bank. The key to collision is to extend ground contacts. More external stress dispersed across more joint angles, tendons, and connective tissue. What high velocity, high force, longer ground contact time exercise does this sound like? Speed and acceleration.
#2 True Development of Speed
Linear speed is a great way to limit triplanar movements over time at higher velocities. Most athletes lack true acceleration capabilities. Developing true acceleration and speed abilities will bleed into your ability to perform other skill based movements with greater forces. I can hear now, athletes need variability to perform their sport well. Of course, this is why they play their sport and you need to include it in our programming but not at the expense of true speed development. If you want to improve true speed and power - sprinting is the best choice.
#3 Easier to Monitor, Regress, and Progress
Collecting data on speed development was the single best decision we made in our programming. By data, truly understand how it fits into our organization and use it as a programming pillar. You are able to create real progressions and regressions. These pro/regressions can also be taught to others without negative ramifications such as injury. It takes a skilled coach to be able to truly teach skill acquisition based pro/regressions in a long term program.