In November, the venerable Vern Gambetta paid a visit to Bearpowered. From all I've heard, Vern is definitely one of the "good guys" in the world of coaching.

After his visit, Mr. Gambetta wrote, "I hope this does not offend anyone, but I could not see anything remarkable or particularly enlightening."

Don't worry Mr. Gambetta, I wasn't offended in the least!

What Gambetta failed to understand is that we aren't offering anything new, we're removing the irrelevant. More is not better. Generally, long time coaches have difficulty doing this for a simple reason: They don't know what is irrelevant!

In another of his blogs, Gambetta stated, " I wish it were as simple as dead lifting more weight. Improving maximal strength is one factor, not the only factor. Anyone who is trying to make someone faster knows that that ultimately it is about where the rubber meets the road, ground contact. The goal is very simple, put more force into the ground in a shorter amount of time."

I find Vern's statement to be curious, typical and at the same time sad. Yet, it is fully expected.

Curious because Vern met with Peter Weyand. According to Vern, they discussed some aspects Dr. Weyand's work: "He also clarified his position on running technique modification; his opinion is that it can’t be significantly changed."

Typical because Gambetta's response from his blog, "I certainly understand where he is coming from, but I am not sure I agree." 

Many sprint coaches use the same mantra: Technique, technique, technique. It's all about techinque

Previous to this statement, Vern posted, "Sure everything is centered on optimizing ground contact, but you must address technique. The question is how to address technique." Gambetta mentioned in another blog, "More time in the weight room will NOT result in more improvement; it must be coupled with sound overall approach. Running mechanics must be trained. They must be trained to take advantage of the body’s natural reflexes, the stumble reflex and the cross extensor reflex. Technique training should not be mechanical and cognitive, rather it should tune into the wisdom of the body to improve body awareness and posture to help improve efficiency."

Sad, very sad. Vern stated that he wasn't sure if he agreed with Dr. Weyand's position ("opinion" according to Gambetta), yet at the same time stating "Running mechanics must be trained".

It would seem, Mr. Gambetta, that you're quite sure of what you believe, and it ain't what Weyand says.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but this is simply another coach (albeit successful) whose basis, in his response to the work of locomotion experts, comes from presuppositional thinking: Mechanics MUST be altered by technique training so as to match the kinematics of faster runners. To the presuppositionalists (of which Mr. Gambetta is a card carrying member) faster runners are faster because their technique is better while others (researchers, or lowly high school coaches with grandiose ideas of removing the unnecessary from training) see the corollary: faster runners must adapt some of their "technique" because of increased speed.

I can understand how it happens; how one can get caught up in the visible rather than accounting for the invisible. 

As for coach Gambetta, we can clearly see a conundrum develop in his own words: "Anyone who is trying to make someone faster knows that that ultimately it is about where the rubber meets the road, ground contact. The goal is very simple, put more force into the ground in a shorter amount of time." 

So where the rubber meets the road is ground contact. I must put more force into the ground in a shorter amount of time. Ok. I got it. I'll spend my time in the weightroom getting strong enough to oppose gravity when I contact the ground. That's the key -- right Mr. Gambetta?

"Sure everything is centered on optimizing ground contact, but you must address technique. The question is how to address technique." 

Hmm, ok. I guess I understand. So coach Gambetta, how do I address technique to improve my ability to oppose gravity at ground contact?

"Running mechanics must be trained. They must be trained to take advantage of the body’s natural reflexes, the stumble reflex and the cross extensor reflex."

I think i'm getting a little confused here. I train to take advantage of my body's stumble and cross extensor reflex when I contact the ground? Ok, if you say so. How could I train those things? Is it a repetitive process? Is it something I should concentrate on while I run or do I use specific drills during practice? Wow, if this helps me oppose gravity at ground contact, I'm all for it! 

"Technique training should not be mechanical and cognitive, rather it should tune into the wisdom of the body to improve body awareness and posture to help improve efficiency."

Ok, I'm totally lost now. I thought that I was training to oppose gravity at ground contact.  I'm not sure how to tune into the wisdom of my body, but if it helps me improve my body awareness and posture so that I can improve my efficiency at ground contact then I'm all for learning how to do that! By the way, what is efficiency at ground contact? I mean, how do I know when I'm efficient? Does being more efficient mean that I will be better able to withstand the impact at ground contact? 

Just one more question coach Gambetta: According to locomotion experts, ground contact force is caused by gravity, it's me hitting the ground like any other falling object, so how does the wisdom of my body or changing my posture change offset that force?

Ok coach Gambetta, there's only one other request I have (once you answer that last question) then I'm more than willing to do what you ask, and to teach what you say. It's a simple request--Please, send me the peer reviewed studies that verify what you've stated since much of what you're saying doesn't correlate well with the work of a myriad of researchers in the field of locomotion and biomechancs. You see, coach Gambetta, Bundle and Weyand's work shows me that mass-specific force application to oppose gravity has a linear relationship to sprint speed. It also shows me that 1/10 the bodyweight improvement in MSF application increases speed by 1 meter per second. All this without improving body awareness or taking advantage of the stumble reflex. Actually, one could increase MSF just by doing the deadlift!  

In the mean time, I'll focus on simple strength training that increases mass-specific force application in opposition to gravity...while keeping mass to a minimum. I don't mind waiting. In fact it will give me time to enjoy watching runners adapt their running technique in response to their new speed.  I think they enjoy running more now that they're not spending so much time on the irrelevant!