Armand Robinson, a graduate from Reynoldsburg, had just graduated from Miami (OH) and was moving back to Columbus, Ohio and needed a speed trainer. He wanted someone to help him run faster, improve his speed, but get him into game shape for when the NFL comes calling.
Armand is a slot receiver that holds a couple records at Miami. He shares the record for the most receptions in a game and is fourth in the leaders for receptions and receiving yards in a season. Unfortunately, Armand was not drafted to an NFL team, but some had expressed strong interest in Armand. If we can improve his speed just a little, keep him quick, and maintain his strength, he will have a good chance of making a great impression at an NFL camp when this lockout ends.
I was contacted by Armand's agent to keep him in shape so that when this NFL lockout ends, he will be ready to go. More importantly, make sure he is running faster and getting more explosive. If you have been training with us this summer, you might have had the chance to train along side him and get to know him. Armand has something to prove, so he has been working pretty hard in our workouts to optimize his potential. That hasn't gone unnoticed by the younger athletes that I work with. If they think they are working hard, they watch Armand and realize that they might have another gear to shift to when it comes to training.
Armand's workout is more than what my average client is doing with me. All of our clients get a basic strength program when they start speed training with us. This is optional and they do on their own time. I personalized this program for Armand, so he can strength train outside of here and I give him an updated schedule each week.
He then makes it to the facility three times a week for speed training and conditioning. So he is doing our normal speed workout, but I am also putting him through a conditioning component that I don't do with other clients primarily because my purpose with most clients is getting them faster. With Armand, I have to get him faster, but in great shape for NFL camps he might attend.
Armand is at the highest level an athlete can be at, so the speed training I get to do with him, I don't usually get to do with a lot of my clients. I can put him through speed drills and plyometrics that are more advanced, but his body can handle. It has been fun getting the chance to do these things with him and also so other clients can see what they might be able to look forward to as they get older.
One of the drills I use with Armand is a speed sled. You can watch video of Armand using this speed sled and how he is developing the speed and power that will be so important for him in football.
The conditioning has also been fun for me. I don't do this with most clients, but my knowledge of conditioning different sports is quite extensive. I'm always amazed at the old school approach most high school and youth coaches put their athletes through. The same passed down conditioning drills. Their are better ways to get your kids in shape.
One of those ways for football is pattern running. Football has many different positions, but the energy demands are different for each position. Are you really going to condition an offensive lineman the same way you condition a wide receiver? So, what I do is put together about 6 patterns that Armand would run in a game. They are all of various distances. He runs 6 to one side of the field then the other side and then rests for a certain time frame. He runs each pattern at full speed and then jogs back to the line of scrimmage. We did 5 circuits of these the other day in 90 degree heat in a span of about 12-14 minutes and Armand was spent. A great conditioning tool.
I wanted to introduce you to Armand and have you keep an eye out for him when this lockout ends. I think he has worked hard this summer to get himself in the best shape possible. Talking to him, you know he feels faster and quicker and his strength is getting to where he wants it to be. Hopefully, you will follow see him in the NFL this year, but for now you can follow Armand on twitter at @armandrobinson.
To read more information on the speed sled discussed in the video, you can click here.
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