Pele
For many years, select managers, coaches, trainers and athletes
pioneered training methods that are essentially trade secrets that
give them a fair and ethical, but secretive edge in play. My dad,
who was a professional athlete and worked in the sports industry for
many years, told me of things he witnessed behind the scenes,
regarding stellar athletes in various sports, who loved their craft
so much, they took it to new levels during training.
Ali shuffle
Some athletes have signature moves associated with
them. Heavy weight boxing champ Muhammad Ali pioneered the Ali
shuffle. Floyd Mayweather popularized "the Philly shoulder roll"
also known as the "Philly shell." In football, David
Beckham popularized a method of making the ball curve at such an
angle it greatly increased the probability of a goal being scored as
well as confused many a goalie as to where the ball was headed.
Michael Jordan seemingly flew through the air in basketball on his
way to the rim, making it difficult to guard him without catching a
foul. It earned him the nickname “Air Jordan.”
Mayweather has popularized the shoulder roll
Boxing trainer Cus D’Amto was so meticulous is his
training methods, he even stunted the growth of champion boxer Mike
Tyson by making him jog with 50 pounds of weights on his back during
his teen years, as he believed it would make him a better
heavyweight.
Michael Jordan soaring through the air to the rim
Logic and history shows us some athletes are better
than others in how they perform in play. While natural athletic
ability does play apart in it via genetics, how you train and what
you are taught as an athlete does make a big difference as well.
Some managers and trainers are more advanced, skilled and
knowledgeable than others. Some have a greater eye for talent and
athlete development as well.
