fat_wilhelm said:
At the combine, they test bench w/ 225 for max reps. Doesn't make much sense to me, especially for 350 lb. lineman. What the hell is that going to tell you? Certainly doesn't say squat (no pun intended) about the explosive strength they need to drive an equally large man off the line. Furthermore, I've tried the test myself, just to compare, and most of their numbers don't seem very impressive. There are, of course, exceptions.
Because football isnt about being the strongest guy on the feild. Its about being the biggest, fastest and strongest athlete for your position. For example, take me. I can squat alot of weight but for low reps. Ive trained my body to be very strong and trained the specific muscle fibers to handle the weight. However, it would be very difficult for me to transfer that power onto the field because i simply do not have the muscle endurance to apply that kind of strength play after play and qaurter after quarter.
When i did play football, I trained with a light weight (light is a relative term, what may be light for me is heavy for someone else) and for moderatly high reps. That helped me alot on the feild because i was much quicker BUT also strong at the same time. Definietly not as strong as i am now but strong enough to play my position to its highest level.
In terms od explosive strength, most strength and conditioning programs in the NCAA rely on various other exersizes to create that kind of power.
For example...bench press is not considered an explosive lift (especially 1RM) because it isnt done very fast. Obviously if you can thorw up your 1RM quickly, it isnt really your 1RM. Usually the top schools test muscle endurance and strength using the bench press but they test explosive power using the power clean or hang clean. It is impossible for you to clean your 1RM slowly, instead you have to use your explosive power to clean the weight.
jsut thought id clear things up.
PS. Driving an a linemam off the line isnt all strength. its 90% technique. The D-linemen doesnt usually run right at you so half the time you are left trying to block or even grab him to get him down. Cut block are also very popular so as you can see...any coach would take a quick player with smarts over a very strong player.
I was a strong saftey in football but i wasnt put there because i could knock people out with my hits. I was there cause i could read plays and make tackles. I love footbal.
(..I never wonder how much someone can bench., Thats just me.
