NO OFFSEASON IN FOOTBALL
By Erin Fulbright and Lyndsey Lovelady
There is much more to football than making
catches, tackles, interceptions and touchdowns. The
key component behind the success of a football player
is fitness. Fitness to football is like a parade to Mardi
Gras. You simply cannot have one without the other.
The abilities of Adrian Peterson, Devin Hester
and Reggie Bush originate from the fitness of the
athletes. Fitness is the force behind Tyrann Mathieu’s
ability to out jump his opponent for an interception
giving The Arizona Cardinals possession at the most
crucial point in a game. Fitness allows for a quick
change of direction on the field as athletes break
through the line of scrimmage toward the end zone.
The unbelievable catch at the one-yard line, and those
99 yards the athlete ran to score a touchdown on a
kick return happened because the player was in shape.
When it comes to the Tigers, LSU head coach
Les Miles insists his players must be in top shape
in order to increase their abilities. “Once they come
to a certain point physically, we want to continue to
surpass that point so that we can play at a very high
level.”
Miles said players entering the LSU football
program in poor shape are weeks, even months
behind. Therefore, maintaining their best physical
condition is a crucial part of their daily schedules.
“Our guys work out every week of every
year; that’s just the way it is,” said Miles. “Players
sometimes work out on their own. Many times
[players’ workouts are] scripted and scheduled.
[Workouts are] anaerobic aerobic [and include]
strength and conditioning, and stamina. Their
workouts are full-fledged.”
According to Miles, the physical health of a
player affects them mentally as well as physically.
“The two are totally connected. A guy in great
condition and ready to go feels mentally adept to
learning and doing different things,” said Miles.
“Those guys who have questions about their shape
don’t necessarily have the confidence to step on and
do the work that we need to have done.”
Not only does Miles believe fitness is important
for his players during their careers as collegiate
athletes, but he also encourages them to continue
living healthy even after the final play of their senior
year.
“I want them to understand that this is
something that they need to do for the rest of their
lives,” stated Miles. “Fitness is important as an
immediate short-term advantage for the Tigers. It’s
also an important for the rest of their lives.”
In the words of LSU strength and conditioning
coordinator Tommy Moffitt “Football is both
emotional and mental.” The gist of this mentality
comes from the fitness of the player.
Moffitt works with the players from January
until training camp beings in August and explained
his job “is to put good guys on the field.” Moffitt’s
summer workouts consist of 12 to 15 different drills,
which improve explosiveness, as well as the ability
to accelerate, decelerate and change direction on a
dime. These drills are the tools he uses to sharpen the
Tigers’ claws.
“A good base fitness is makes a player very fast
and powerful,” said Moffitt. “The player has to be able
to run and be explosive.”
Moffitt’s sole responsibility is to prepare his
players to perform well when working with other
members of the coaching staff. The same can be said
for Southern University strength and conditioning
coach Corliss Fingers.
Fingers joined the coaching staff in February
2012 making this her first full season with SU.
As with Moffitt, players belong to Fingers most
of the summer before being handed over to the
head coach. Players who stayed in Baton Rouge this
summer participated in a 12-week offseason workout
with Fingers consisting of drills, cardio, weights, more
cardio, more drills and even more cardio.
“If you are out of shape or your cardio is not that
great you fall victim to more injuries,” Fingers said. “If
the [offensive lineman] is in horrible [cardiovascular
shape] they won’t be able to protect the quarterback.
We want every practice to be like a game.”
Southern SU head coach Dawson Odums relies
on Fingers to do her job as strength and conditioning
coach, and offers his input only when necessary.
“She gives us a competitive edge on the field,”
stated Odums, praising Fingers for her role in the
improvement of the strength of the Jaguars.
A player’s perpetual fitness responsibilities are
seemingly endless; they work out year-round to
some degree to keep their mind and body in shape.
Players do not disappear into the sidelines during the
offseason. They sweat expelling mediocrity from their
pores because they strive to endure. They rattles cages,
push forward through pain toward prosperity. They
train. They triumph, and every bead of sweat, every
aching muscle, draws them closer to the moment
they have been waiting for: Kick off.
BRH&F