TO BLOCK OR NOT TO BLOCK - THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Drills, drills, drills.....but how, why & critically when?
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Many components of the throw, which I call technical KPIs are trainable, not so much in isolation (as there are always other degrees of freedom we cannot really control) but where the emphasis is clearly and categorically placed with a view to improving that particular facet of the throw. The 3 main areas I get asked about are generally:
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1️⃣ the block and drills to improve it.
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2️⃣ the run-off and drills to improve it.
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3️⃣ the hand position and drills to improve (generally delay) it.
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So I decided to share some exercises over the next few days which would form the basis of the specific preparation phase of training when looking to firm up and improve the block, and then behind that the run off etc.
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The first thing I’d say, is that with young developing athletes, technical training and general physical literacy progressing on to physical development will account for most of the progression a young athlete should experience. As an athlete reaches physical maturation, progress becomes more challenging. Therefore many of these exercises are quite advanced
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Additionally, in the early stages of the preparation phase, the specific focus is on isometric training to stabilise the key KPIs which we hope will influence the CRITICAL DETERMINANTS OF PERFORMANCE further down the line if we follow the right pathway. Whilst isometric training isn’t necessarily dynamic in nature, they are the best tool to work on changing the recruitment pattern/strategy used during the execution of a movement pattern, making these methods a very useful tool toward improving performance (Thibarmy).
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Exercise 1, which I explain in the video is primarily yielding in nature due to the load of the Aquaball™️ and the fact the focus is on holding a stable blocking position, but it is also an example of a ‘functional’ isometric where the torso is concerned due to the rotational oscillations around the torso.
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Part 2 tomorrow 😊
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Thoughts or questions always welcome!