Strength, Speed, and Endurance for Athletes [Paperback]

Dr. J. Hartmann (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The purpose of this book is to illustrate exercises that can be used not only in combat sports training, but also as part of any physical education or sports training program. The exercises are not complicated and do not require special facilities, clothing, or apparatus. They can be integrated into classes or training sessions at all levels and provide athletes with a pleasurable and meaningful way to acquire competitive skills and to develop psychomotor abilities and fitness. These exercises can also help instill in athletes a sense of discipline, honesty, courage, the willingness to take risks and make decisions, steadfastness, responsibility, and consideration for opponents.

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Although the combat exercises presented in this book are relatively easy to learn, they must be introduced with logic, consistency, and method during training. Each athlete must be considered as an individual and work on exercises at an appropriate level.

Exercises that require relatively low levels of coordination and fitness (for example, exercises 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9) are especially suitable for beginners. Once the general foundations for higher performance levels have been laid down by working on the less complicated exercise, one may proceed to more demanding variations. For example, exercise 100, which demands high levels of psychomotor skill and fitness, may be prepared for gradually by mastering exercises 10-12, 26, 28-30, 51, 58, 59, 63, 66, 79, 85, 88, 89, 92, and 98.

The more complex exercises develop both physical and mental skills. When athletes are not bound to prescribed movements, they must formulate their own strategies and transform each situation to thier best advantage, as they are required to do in competition. This is most encouraged by combining two exercises, each stressing a different skill or movement, into one. For example, it might be possible to combine exercise 46, which concentrates on attacking the opponent's leg, with exercise 66, in which the object is to lift the opponent off the floor.

Participants in combat exercises need to be mentally prepared and ready to use all their muscle groups. Every training session should begin with a warm-up consisting of stretching, calisthenics, games, and partner exercises. The frequency, length, and intensity of practices should be determined according to the objectives set and the participants' health and willingness to perform. Practice breaks and rest intervals are good times to stretch and perform relaxation exercises that accelerate recovery. Training sessions should end with a sequence of warm-down exercises.

Although these combat exercises are not governed by the strict rules of competition and are presented in an order that restricts the danger of injury, the following rules should be observed:

- Those competing should not wear rings, bracelets, chains, etc.
- All loose badges, studs, or other dangerous items should be removed from sportswear.
- Many exercises require a soft practice area. Indoors, judo or wrestling mats should be used; outdoors, a sandy beach or soft lawn is sufficient.
- nearby objects should be removed or padded to prevent injury; outdoor surfaces should be checked for glass fragments, stones, etc.
- Fighter's may not grasp each other's fingers or toes, lock both arms around the opponent's head (unless one arm is also held), work against the natural movement of the opponent's joints, or scissor the opponent's head or body with both legs.
- Only experienced and well-trained athletes should be allowed to throw their opponent's to the ground.
- Some exercises (for example, exercises 64 and 65) should not be carried out if considerable differences exist in the weight and strength of the opponents. In general, however, differences in weight and strength allow for the better development of fighters' coordination, endurance, and speed.

Product Details

• Paperback: 117 pages
• Publisher: Sport Book Pub (June 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0920905161
• ISBN-13: 978-0920905166
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,249,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Drill Book, June 17, 2000

By 

Gregg Phillip Humphreys (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strength, Speed, and Endurance for Athletes (Paperback)

I was frankly surprised by the number of drills in this book. As a judo coach I found the vast majority of the exercises could be used as warmups, a change of pace in practice, or as an instructural drill for competitive situations. I would highly reccomend this book to any judo,sambo, or wrestling coach.