Expert: Vic Winnek - 6/20/2008

Question
Hello, we are trying to help a young man get ready to play college football in August.  He will be playing at a junior college - as yet unknown (has a couple interested schools).  He fights us every step of the way on the workout program my husband has set up for him.  He keeps telling us that "you don't understand, we have practice in August and I will get in shape".  We tell him that football is like a full time job and that what we are having him do will be nothing compared to what he will do in college. Plus, we told him a coach won't have any interest in him if he comes into the first day out of shape and breathing hard after a 40 yard sprint. All we is for him to walk onto that field in the best shape he can be in 7 short weeks (now 5 weeks) so he can obtain his "dream".  All we are having him do is lift in the am (takes him a little over an hour) (5 days in a row), 30 minutes of cardio -working up to 1 hour and then about 1-1.5 hours of speed agility at night (this is either running 10-20yds, 10-40yds and 5-100yds or plyometrics or catching/defensive drills).  That is ALL he does ALL day - we are not even making him get a job!  

My question, what type of summer program should he be doing to get ready and are we wrong in pushing him to get in shape now?  Also, anywhere to look for testimonials from top football players on what they did the summer before they started playing college ball?

(PS>  my husband played for a small junior college and then small university over 22 years ago - so he has been there)

Thanks going insane in Texas!

Answer
Kelli
You two are so correct, he needs to be in shape (strength & conditioned) when he shows up to camp.  But you can lead a horse to water but can't make him drink.  The question I ask, does he truly desire to play football - is it what he wants to do?  If it is, he will do what ever it takes.  His heart might not be in it, which is all right, college football is not for everyone who played high school football.  It might not be fun for him and if it isn't don't force him to play.

As for the work outs, the running and condition is key!  By now he has to know where he will be attending in the fall.  Contact the school's coach and ask him for a summer conditioning and weight training schedule & program, he will likely send it to you.

Core training and plyometrics are excellent and should be done 4-5 days a week.  Have him weight train the entire body Upper, Lower, Back and Chest/Abs, but alter days, not every day you need to give a day or two for the body to recoup and build muscle. You don't want to over train or stress the body too much, that will lead to injuries.  Have him cross train ride a bike or hike or swim one to two days a week.  The key is cardio vascular endurance and condition.  Then strength, speed and agility.  Stretching is key too.  If your husband has time maybe he can work out a bit with him - but don't turn it into a work out or competition or keep telling the young man how in the old days ...  MAKE IT FUN, TURN IT INTO A GAME.  MAKE THE WORK OUT ALMOST LIKE KID'S PLAY this might help since he is unmotivated to work out.

Best of luck,