Gambetta and Sprint Technique

[Guest guest]

Until recently I had not heard of Vern Gambetta but have found that his name has

popped up in 2 discussions: a discussion on sprint technique, and a discussion

on developing young athletes.

I cannot be certain that those that quoted him have done so correctly but the

sprint technique discussion did not match up to what Dr Yessis says in his books

& #8220;Explosive Running & #8221; and & #8220;Women & #8217;s Soccer: Using Science

to Improve Speed & #8221;. Since these are the only 2 books I have read on sprint

technique I do not have enough knowledge to criticise either Yessis or Gambetta.

I have visited Gambetta & #8217;s website and it appears to have that

& #8220;guruesque & #8221; manner about it.

Have you had any experience (positive or negative) with Gambetta? Eg. programs

or ideas that work? Using pseudo-science ala Chek? etc

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Regards,

Grant

Strength and Rehabilitation Consultant

B.Sc. (Hons) Ex. Sci.

M.A.A.E.S.S., M.A.S.C.A.

PHYSIOKINETICS

Gold Coast, Australia

(+61) 409 625 263

--

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[Guest guest]

I've read Vern's materials in the NATA Periodical and took his " Legs,

legs, legs " seminar last year. I find his material straight forward,

to the point and easy to understand.

He is " guruesque " as you call it, but his stuff is based on research,

practical and works. Since I work as a fitness professional

(trainer, group exercise instructor) I find his work applicable to

that field and use some of his ideas for drills in sports

conditioning classes and with clients. Unlike other fitness " gurus "

Vern does not manipulate research to prove what he wants to say. His

book is a compendium of his articles and is worth the read.

The problem with exercise science is that it is not a precise

science. There are many ways to get from point A to point B. Just

like I wouldn't hold any published writer as THE source for exercise,

I wouldn't discount anyone's work without thoroughly reading it--they

are all ideas, whether you buy into them and how you apply them is up

to you.

Pete McCall, CSCS

Washington, DC USA

> Until recently I had not heard of Vern Gambetta but have found that

> his name has popped up in 2 discussions: a discussion on sprint

> technique, and a discussion on developing young athletes.

>

> I cannot be certain that those that quoted him have done so

> correctly but the sprint technique discussion did not match up to

> what Dr Yessis says in his books “Explosive Running” and

> “Women’s Soccer: Using Science to Improve Speed”.

> Since these are the only 2 books I have read on sprint technique I do

> not have enough knowledge to criticise either Yessis or Gambetta.

>

> I have visited Gambetta’s website and it appears to have that

> “guruesque” manner about it.

>

> Have you had any experience (positive or negative) with Gambetta?

> Eg. programs or ideas that work? Using pseudo-science ala Chek? etc

>

> Any feedback would be appreciated.

>

> Regards,

>

> Grant

> Strength and Rehabilitation Consultant

> B.Sc. (Hons) Ex. Sci.

> M.A.A.E.S.S., M.A.S.C.A.

>

> PHYSIOKINETICS

> Gold Coast, Australia

> (+61) 409 625 263

[Guest guest]

The question is where does Gambetta get his knowledge in

biomechanics? Does he have a Phd in the field? Can he break down

technique with a high speed camera explaining each joint action and

it's relevance to performance? The answer to all of these is a

resounding no.

Dr Yessis is far more accomplished with a Phd in the field and has

worked with the top biomechanics from the former USSR. With over 45

years in the field, you will be hard pressed to find a more

qualified person in this area.

Yosef

Muskegon,Mi

> Until recently I had not heard of Vern Gambetta but have found

> that his name has popped up in 2 discussions: a discussion on sprint

> technique, and a discussion on developing young athletes.

>

> I cannot be certain that those that quoted him have done so

> correctly but the sprint technique discussion did not match up to

> what Dr Yessis says in his books “Explosive Running” and

> “Women’s Soccer: Using Science to Improve Speed”.

> Since these are the only 2 books I have read on sprint technique I

> do not have enough knowledge to criticise either Yessis or Gambetta.

>

> I have visited Gambetta’s website and it appears to have

> that “guruesque” manner about it.

>

> Have you had any experience (positive or negative) with Gambetta?

> Eg. programs or ideas that work? Using pseudo-science ala Chek? etc

>

> Any feedback would be appreciated.

>

> Regards,

>

> Grant

> Strength and Rehabilitation Consultant

> B.Sc. (Hons) Ex. Sci.

> M.A.A.E.S.S., M.A.S.C.A.

>

> PHYSIOKINETICS

> Gold Coast, Australia

> (+61) 409 625 263

[Guest guest]

Someone wrote:

<The question is where does Gambetta get his knowledge in

biomechanics? Does he have a Phd in the field? Can he break down

technique with a high speed camera explaining each joint action and

it's relevance to performance? The answer to all of these is a

resounding no.>

I'm sure that Mike Yessis would certainly appreciate the kind words relative

to his background and expertise, but I think he would be somewhat embarrassed

to hear that a respected colleague such as Vern Gambetta is not receiving the

same kind of respect within the fitness community.

I know the contributions that Vern has made to the track and field community,

and although he may not have a performance lab where he can do the motion

studies you mention, or an advanced degree in biomechanics, he is very much

aware of the work being done by those who are researching human locomotion, and

who do have those degrees. He has always cultivated relationships with these

individuals, and they in turn respect him for his ability to develop creative,

practical applications based upon their findings. As someone who works daily

with kids who have fun and feel good about themselves whenever they can jump

higher or run faster, I can't agree that Vern's contributions aren't as

significant as those of other esteemed colleagues who have likewise devoted

their lives to performance enhancement. I'm sure Mike Yessis would agree.

Kindest regards,

Ken Jakalski

Lisle High School

Lisle, Illinois

cogito, ergo, zoom

[Guest guest]

> <The question is where does Gambetta get his knowledge in

> biomechanics? Does he have a Phd in the field? Can he break down

> technique with a high speed camera explaining each joint action and

> it's relevance to performance? The answer to all of these is a

> resounding no.>

>

> I'm sure that Mike Yessis would certainly appreciate the kind words relative

> to his background and expertise, but I think he would be somewhat embarrassed

> to hear that a respected colleague such as Vern Gambetta is not receiving the

> same kind of respect within the fitness community.

>

> I know the contributions that Vern has made to the track and field community,

> and although he may not have a performance lab where he can do the motion

> studies you mention, or an advanced degree in biomechanics, he is

very much aware of the work being done by those who are researching

human locomotion, and who do have those degrees. He has always

cultivated relationships with these individuals, and they in turn

respect him for his ability to develop creative, practical

applications based upon their findings. As someone who works daily

with kids who have fun and feel good about themselves whenever they

can jump higher or run faster, I can't agree that Vern's

contributions aren't as significant as those of other esteemed

colleagues who have likewise devoted their lives to performance

enhancement. I'm sure Mike Yessis would agree.

>

>

> Kindest regards,

>

> Ken Jakalski

> Lisle High School

> Lisle, Illinois

> cogito, ergo, zoom

As a matter of fact, he does not agree. The difference in their

expertise is the distance from the earth to the moon.

The question was who was more qualified in the area of technique. I

did not comment on Vern's training protocols, while I am sure they

are good and kids see improvement. However, getting into technique

analysis is a different story. You can't possibly comment on how to

improve technique without grasping biomechanics, which Vern does

not. Most of his work involves drills that have small relevance to

optimal technique. Being aware of what is going on and grasping and

implementing it are two different things.

I am not trying to minimize Vern's work at all. It is simply unfair

to put him into a category that he does not fit. Dr Yessis is a biomechanics

expert and Vern is not. He is more of a strength and

conditioning coach. I appreciate your respect for Vern's work and

do not want to be critical. I think this is a case of apples and

oranges.

Yosef

Muskegon, Mi

[Guest guest]

I believe the discussion regarding sprint technique has avoided the original

question and appears to be more related as to who has a better background. All

of this is important but it boils down to one key factor: how much improvement

do the athletes get after working with any one particular individual? Which

program shows significant increases in speed from year to year? Which program

produces runners without injuries?

It is easy to find programs that supposedly improve running speed. In high

school, many coaches say they are successful improving speed merely by having

the youngster undertake some weight training. At this time, the weight training

does have a positive benefit and the increase in speed, but for how long? How

many years? Collegiate programs use heavy strength training and there are often

no significant increases in speed. But yet they all say they have successful

speed programs.

There are many speed and quickness gurus who claim that they improve speed, but

where are the results? How many athletes do they take from point A to point B

showing definite improvement in their speed or quickness? It is easy to find

people who have attended clinics or have been with a certain individual to say

it was a great clinic or they really improved. But there is no hard data to

substantiate the views. How many people do you know who have attended speed and

quickness clinics who didn't go away saying they thought it was a great clinic

and it really helped them with their running and quickness movements?

I have read about speed coaches in Sports Illustrated who work with professional

athletes such as Jerry Rice. The athletes say it is a great program especially

when their tongues are hanging out after 5-6 hours. No mention is made of speed

increases. Are these then merely conditioning programs operating under the

guise of a speed program?

I have had many runners come to me who tell me that they were using a different

system and it really helped them a great deal. When I ask them how much it

improved their speed, the answer is usually very little and only for a short

period of time. But yet, they called it a successful program. There are even

organizations that cater to professional athletes in speed and quickness.

Professional teams pay up to $10,000 for three weeks of speed and quickness

improvement. From what the athletes tell me, they do mainly heavy weight

training and flexibility work. Some say they improved in speed. Most who have

been on other programs say it was a waste of time. Thus, who do you believe?

In regard to my program as detailed in my book, Explosive Running, I have never

had an athlete who didn't significantly improve his speed from making technique

changes and improving his physical abilities as they relate specifically to his

running technique. The results are not temporary; they continue from year to

year, although the amount of increases are proportionately less. Athletes who

have done the running-specific exercises have never come down with a hamstring

injury. Can other programs also make such statements?

Thus, most important is to look at results-proven results, not merely verbal

results. Only then will you be able to make valid comparisons and decide which

program you may wish to use in your training. Your evaluation should not be

based on personalities. You can only make valid comparisons when they are based

on objective data.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yessis, Ph.D

President, Sports Training, Inc.

www.dryessis.com

PO Box 460429

Escondido, CA 92046

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Guest guest]

Vern Gambetta has a background in Physical Education (I believe he has either a

Masters degree or PHD in that field) and was a high school PE instructor for a

long time. I know he has done a lot of work in the field of PE particularly in

the area of motor skills development. He is fairly well-known among College

Strength and Conditioning coaches because his connections to NSCA. I heard of

him through my internship at the Denver University Strength and Conditioning

program (which, incidently, is where I first heard of Mel Siff). The majority of

the work of his I've seen dealt with SAQ (speed, agility, quickness) with the

greater emphasis on agility training. I know he has worked with Soccer players

of all different levels and ages.

Gallant

Exercise Science undergrad student

Metropolitan State College of Denver CO

Grant wrote:

Until recently I had not heard of Vern Gambetta but have found that his name has

popped up in 2 discussions: a discussion on sprint technique, and a discussion

on developing young athletes.

I cannot be certain that those that quoted him have done so correctly but the

sprint technique discussion did not match up to what Dr Yessis says in his books

“Explosive Running” and “Women’s Soccer: Using Science to Improve Speed”. Since

these are the only 2 books I have read on sprint technique I do not have enough

knowledge to criticise either Yessis or Gambetta.

I have visited Gambetta’s website and it appears to have that “guruesque” manner

about it.

Have you had any experience (positive or negative) with Gambetta? Eg. programs

or ideas that work? Using pseudo-science ala Chek? etc

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Regards,

Grant

Strength and Rehabilitation Consultant

B.Sc. (Hons) Ex. Sci.

M.A.A.E.S.S., M.A.S.C.A.

PHYSIOKINETICS

Gold Coast, Australia

(+61) 409 625 263