HONORING the PAST
CHALLENGING
the
FUTURE
"Fortius-Citius-Altius”
The Olympic creed, these three Latin words mean “Stronger, Swifter, Higher”. Baron de Coubertin borrowed the maxim from Father Henri Martin Dideon, the headmaster of Arcueil College in Paris. Father Dideon used it to describe the great achievements of the athletes at his school. Mr. Coubertin felt it could be used to describe the goals of great athletes all over the world; and so, it does for us. At Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Fortius-Citius-Altius is a training truism guiding the pursuit of competitive athletic performance via improvements in strength, speed, and agility.
“Within the realm of all sports exists the need for several components of true athleticism.
Strength, speed, and agility. These three can be summed up in one simple word - power.”
Jim Radcliffe – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, University of Oregon
The development of strength, speed and agility for dedicated purposes is predicated on a scientific understanding. However, as Frank Dick states in the opening of his book Sports Training Principles: coaching is mainly an art. As such, there is no substitute for good vision and experienced judgement in its application. Through the sharing of experience in the application of science to the everyday training of athletes and teams, we come to a better understanding of its organization and implementation. In this way, work routines are
established adhering to a systematic, sequential, and progressive build-up in activities…
Strength training and conditioning are key components to growth and development in “athletic performance” and continued improvement in “sport performance”. To perform at an optimal level for sustained periods, it’s necessary for the athlete to maintain proper nutritional habits, rest patterns and commit to year-round training routines. The concept of “Hog Power” places high value on training movement efficiency allowing athletes to perform the skills of their sport more effectively. Texas A&M University-Kingsville student-athletes are provided the opportunity to improve their athletic and sport performance with full scale programming. Workouts are tailored to specific phases of the year and target speed, strength, agility, and flexibility.
The “Ultimate Goal” seeks to blend these qualities to develop the “Ultimate Athlete”.
TRAINING GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Long Term = Explosive Power
• Usable Strength
• Directional Speed
• Transitional Agility
Short Term = Power Reliability
• Work Capacity
• Recoverability
• Stamina
LET’S WORK!
Fulfilling the goals & objectives is a product of the systematic, sequential and progressive use of the training methods emphasized within the program. Training methods include weight training, plyometrics, sprint resistance, sprint assistance, movement specifics and speed endurance.
1. Preparational Work
Methods of preparing for quality work. Routines consist of progressive rhythmic movements and dynamic stretch activities to ready the body for more strenuous and intense work, facilitate joint range of motion and postural awareness...e.g., warm-up. This is our first opportunity during a workout to improve athleticism.
2. Technical Work
Methods of rehearsing form & technique. This transition from general to core preparation will match the specifics of the main training elements for the that day. By rehearsing the skills of movement with lighter loads and or varied tempos and direction, work of greater demand may be done more efficiently and effectively.
3. Developmental work
Methods of the main training portion. Strength, speed, agility work that is systematically planned, sequentially implemented, and progressively advanced. The dedicated lift, plyometric, sprint resistance/assistance, and/or conditioning work is consistent with and adheres to the goals and objectives of the training phase.
4. Transitional Work
Methods of mobility and or recovery at the end of a training session. Consistent with the goals and objectives of the phase of training, the training session will finish by transitioning into what comes next. This connects the days of the weekly training cycles forming the basis of the monthly training phases. Whether transitioning to practice/competition with specific footwork, jumps or throws; or transitioning to balance and coordination work to expand agility or how we negotiate the ground; or transitioning into recovery with various stretching and flexibility routines, how the session ends can smooth the transition into what is next.
HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT of the ATHLETE
We will use strength and conditioning as a vehicle to advance our student-athletes not only in athletics but life as well. Our mentor/coach mentality is that of transformational leaders in the lives of young men and women. A coach, above all other duties is a teacher and we have moral and life sharing influence over our athletes. Our aim is to build relationships based on trust and respect. We do this so that we may assist our sport coaches in developing resilient bodies and minds for sport competition as well as for life outside of sport. This is our Championship Culture, and it defines our Coaching Practice…
1. Enacting our Vision
As coaches we will share with you our philosophy of power development, how we’ll teach and progress training activities emphasizing skills over drills, then establish short-term and long-term goals and directions. We will also develop and articulate our standard of excellence, accepting nothing less, as we move forward together.
2. Athlete Empowerment
We will genuinely care about you and your well-being. We will lead the way with our knowledge & experience as coaches, but there will be genuine exchanges between us where we both can grow professionally and personally. It is important to us that you achieve individual growth, build self-confidence, and realize personal empowerment.
3. Teaching Life Skills
Yes, we want to win and win championships. We also want to win with integrity. Winning with integrity requires great commitment to team values. Some of the life skills you can expect to learn include the value of hard work, accountability, resilience, grit, teamwork, role acceptance, and respect for authority. No single athlete is bigger than the team and developing these skills and others will assist you in dealing effectively with the demands and challenges of life beyond sports.
4. Lifelong Learning & Personal Reflection
Success is not a destination, it’s a journey. We learn this in sport as there is always something we can improve upon in training, practice, and competition. As coaches we have a constant desire to acquire knowledge; to improve our why, how, and what. We have been where you currently are and this makes us passionate, caring, open-minded, composed and interested in your life as a person. We will never stop seeking ways to make this part of your journey one of the greatest building blocks of your life.
