Thinking About Christmas

December is here.  What a great season.  Family, friends, time for reflection.  Of course, also, some gifts will probably get purchased, and there will be lots of overeating.

You may want to be get the best pair of $600 skates for your child because the heel counters in the old ones are completely caving in.  You could do that, and it would definitely help. Stiffer heel counters will mean a cleaner stride with little heel movement, and therefore less energy loss. 

Or maybe the best composite stick, for the hardest shot possible.  That will actually be cheaper, maybe only $300.  Again, performance would be enhanced with the lightest materials possible.  You can look at all different flexes, kickpoints, etc. to really get what works best for the individual.

What about the golfer in the family? Poor Dad works 7 days a week, and really wants to hit the tee shot farther.  Off to the golf specialist.  Again, technically advanced clubs will definitely help.  You don't see the pros using wooden drivers too often anymore right?

No sarcasm intended here with these 3 scenarios.  They are thoughtful, appreciated gifts that would help performance. I am not going to be ridiculous enough to say that technology does not help.  I had a family hockey shop for 2 decades.

But, I believe that you either "got it or ya don't".  Mark Howe used to tie his skates so loosely that once his foot came out (true story) when he was skating quickly.  Major league ball players are still using wooden bats, and hitting the ball 400 feet sometimes.  If you put a set of 40-year-old clubs in a PGA or LPGA pro's hands, do you not think that they would still be the best around?  Although, maybe only hitting the ball 80% as far as they would with new clubs, I believe the answer is YES.  Of course they would still beat any weekend warrior out there.

What's my point?  Performance would increase slightly, but you are missing something. 

GETTING STRONG will incresese performance so much more than the marginal increase that you will gain from using top end equipment.  So much is being left "on the table" because of the wrong thought process.  Hockey players are in season now.  So they can't train hard... if at all, in my opinion.  BUT, you golfers, baseball players, and lacrosse players can.

Look at what I am suggesting, and try to get strong.  Stronger glutes and adductors mean a tighter swing motion with that club.  You shouldn't buckle, and lose energy.  It will translate into performance.  There are loads more examples.

Thanks to the person who contacted me about his golf situation.
Watch out for the upcoming videos.
Cheers!