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Functional strength training and powerlifting have different goals and requirements for their respective sports. Athletes typically need to be well-rounded and skilled in multiple areas, such as strength, agility, speed, endurance, and coordination. Powerlifters aim to maximize their strength in the three main lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift.
On the Offensive line, it's not really about who's stronger necessarily "
- Hall of Fame Offensive Lineman, Joe Thomas
It's important for football players to train functional strength rather than powerlifters because their training needs to be tailored to the specific demands of the game. If a player were to train solely like a powerlifter, they may develop excessive muscle mass or bulk or become one dimensional, which could negatively affect their speed, agility, and endurance. Additionally, powerlifting training may not necessarily improve an athlete's skill or technique in their sport, which is crucial for success.
Athletes need to focus on a variety of training methods, including strength training, power, conditioning, plyometrics, and skill-specific drills, to develop a well-rounded set of skills that will help them excel in their sport. By training like athletes, they can improve their overall athletic performance and become dynamic athletes, rather than solely focusing on strength gains in a few specific lifts.
Hall of Fame Offensive Lineman, Joe Thomas, touches on this idea with his tweet regarding the bench press event at the NFL Combine,
[Bench press] is probably my least favorite event that the combine does, because I think it is probably the lowest level of transition between a performance there and an indicator if they are going to be good at any position”
- Joe Thomas
The FlipSled is a great tool for football players to train functional strength and carry over power to the field. The FlipSled can help football players build on-field strength, power, and explosiveness. These exercises can help improve an athlete's ability to generate force quickly, improve their reaction time and coordination, and build endurance and stamina for long, grueling games.
The FlipSled can also help football players develop the mental toughness and determination necessary to succeed on the field. The challenging and dynamic nature of FlipSled training can push athletes to their limits, helping them develop a strong work ethic, discipline, and resilience.
