Today’s episode features performance coach Dan Fichter. Dan is the owner of WannaGetFast, a sports performance business in Rochester, NY, and is one of the most innovative and educated coaches in the field. Dan’s knowledge of the neurological aspects of training is on another level. His work comes out of his time with many legendary mentors, such as Jay Schroder and Mel Siff, and also has been impacted heavily by the work of “DB Hammer”. When it comes to training athletes, Dan is a coach that is absolutely driven by results and pushes himself to learn more and get better on a regular basis.
Dan has been a two-time previous guest on the show, with a solo episode and a popular DB Hammer episode where he spoke alongside Chris Korfist. Today’s episode is in the neuro-dynamics vein, as Dan digs into his methodology on a number of training methods that center on the optimal function of the nervous system.
Today, Dan goes into detail on long-duration isometrics, and how he uses them to get better results out of barbell lifting. He also goes in-depth on a training method he mentioned in episode #8, oscillatory isometrics, which is one of my personal favorite training methods. Dan also goes into detail on harnessing the reflex system to get athletes better results, as well as sensory inputs, amongst other topics of power and performance. This is a true coaches episode, as lots of means and methods are described that can get athletes better results immediately.
Today’s episode is brought to you by SimpliFaster, supplier of high-end athletic development tools, such as the Freelap timing system, kBox, Sprint 1080, and more.
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Key Points:
- How Dan specifically utilizes extreme iso’s
- Coaching points on ISO lunges and connection with squatting
- Extreme ISO’s are an extremely slow eccentric contraction
- Dan’s favorite oscillating isometrics and how they are optimally executed
- Using reflexes and sensory input to maximize training results
- Fixing common compensation patterns
- Dan’s take on supramaximal eccentric work (or lack thereof)
“Teaching somebody how to squat through using extreme isometrics is pretty incredible”
“When we recruit our hamstrings when we squat, it puts a completely different recruitment process… when we squat normally, they have their foot on the gas and the brake on the way down”
“When you squat and can activate your hamstrings on the way down, it’s amazing how much deeper you can get”
“The magic happens when you are pulling yourself into position”
“There are not a lot of things outside or a squat, a lunge and a skater lunge that you are going to be called on in athletic movement”
“Oscillating isometrics are athleticism in a nutshell”
“Building up peak tension in that isometric position, and then releasing everything to get back to that again; you have to explain to athletes that it’s not how fast you do the repetitions, 1-2-3-4-5, it’s the quality of building peak tension in each rep”
“You have to have a sensory input to make a motor output”
“You need to be highly aware of things that develop through your training”
“When I do bilateral movement and we muscle test, they are off for a period of time; then they walk and it is restored”
“Being strong isometrically is really really important for locomotion”
Show Notes
Tendon Neuroplastic Training Research
About Dan Fichter
Dan Fichter owns and operates WannaGetFast Power/Speed Training, a sports performance training business in Rochester, NY that offers training to elite athletes. Fichter’s clients have included pro hockey players Chris Thorburn (Winnipeg Jets), Stanley Cup champion Brian Gionta (Buffalo Sabres), Ryan Callahan (Tampa Bay Lightning, US Olympic Team), Shane Prince (Binghamton Senators), Olympic track and field star Victoriya Rybalko from Ukraine, NY Yankee shortstop Cito Culver, UFC fighter Mike Massenzio, Oakland A’s 2nd baseman Andy Parrino, Washington Nationals Infielder Chris Bostick along with Washington Nationals pitcher Brian Dupra. Dan has coached athletes in all sports from all over the country. Dan is in two different Halls of Fame for his own athletic prowess in football.
Fichter is presently the head football coach at Irondequoit High School in New York.
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