At this point, I have been tagged in enough content relating to injuries at the wide receiver position that I feel it is absolutely appropriate to start discussing some possible strategies to fix what is going on.
First of all, a massive shout out to @Parker Thune for doing the Lord’s work in the latest ”Injury Thread.” At this point, with every new twist he and Brandon seem to roll up on, it’s caused Sooner Nation to be torn apart and while this thread may sprain a few egos, it’s important to damn-near surgically give this news the full scope it needs from a Sports and Exercise Science perspective.
Okay, now that I have that out-of-the-way let’s jump into some key thoughts on the subject…
For my first point, I think it is incredibly important for fans and media to remember…
#1. INJURIES HAPPEN!
Regardless of how badly we want to see things change, and for the receiver room specifically to be completely healthy going into the upcoming season and for these guys to get a full off-season together, it’s just a true fact that freak injuries are a thing.
You could have the greatest programming from the greatest strength and conditioning coach working with the greatest team of physical therapists, doctors, training, staff, and you will still have the chance for major injuries.
All that being said…
#2. Something Needs To Change
at a certain point, coaches and trainers have to look themselves in the mirror if the same thing continues to happen over and over again.
Burkes’ situation feels like it may be precautionary but this stuff continues to pop up rings, massive alarm bells for me.
Same with Sategna.
So what happens? Can any of this be fixed? What can you ACTUALLY do to prevent injuries?
Here are some basic steps I would deploy if somebody were to put me in charge…
1. Survey every offensive position group on the team…. I’m sure this is already been done to some extent, but I want to know what these guys are doing on a regular basis, dig into some of the training habits in and out of the official facility, what is going on on their off days, how is recovery being facilitated? or is it being facilitated at all for some athletes? And do they feel that the staff is helping them accomplish their goals of staying on the field and competing at a high-level with minimal aches and pains.
2. Reevaluate everything that position group is doing in the workout room. The workout room is where volume can seriously add up to injury for skill positions.
These athletes already produce some of the most wild amounts of forces throughout their lower body on the team when on the field, and when it comes to the workout room it is no different.
There aren’t any movements you can do with the human body that are inherently “dangerous” but there are factors that are incredibly controllable, such as volume, resistance, recovery between workout sessions, duration of time that GPP work is being done, and how quickly athletes are progressed week to week.
At this point, all of those factors are up for evaluation. It is just an objective fact that too heavy of loads + too much volume can create an environment for injury, particularly with athletes at the skill position.
Lastly, as sort of a secondary approach, I would bring in Jordan brand as well as a foot specialist to ensure that our skill athletes are sporting the absolute safest, securest, and most injury resistant footwear that can be placed in and that the proper protocols are being followed with the footwear to ensure they behave reliably to minimize injury risk.
I’d love to hear what you all thing on the subject but just some thoughts as it feels like we may be gearing up for a potential injury fest the rest of spring.
First of all, a massive shout out to @Parker Thune for doing the Lord’s work in the latest ”Injury Thread.” At this point, with every new twist he and Brandon seem to roll up on, it’s caused Sooner Nation to be torn apart and while this thread may sprain a few egos, it’s important to damn-near surgically give this news the full scope it needs from a Sports and Exercise Science perspective.
Okay, now that I have that out-of-the-way let’s jump into some key thoughts on the subject…
For my first point, I think it is incredibly important for fans and media to remember…
#1. INJURIES HAPPEN!
Regardless of how badly we want to see things change, and for the receiver room specifically to be completely healthy going into the upcoming season and for these guys to get a full off-season together, it’s just a true fact that freak injuries are a thing.
You could have the greatest programming from the greatest strength and conditioning coach working with the greatest team of physical therapists, doctors, training, staff, and you will still have the chance for major injuries.
All that being said…
#2. Something Needs To Change
at a certain point, coaches and trainers have to look themselves in the mirror if the same thing continues to happen over and over again.
Burkes’ situation feels like it may be precautionary but this stuff continues to pop up rings, massive alarm bells for me.
Same with Sategna.
So what happens? Can any of this be fixed? What can you ACTUALLY do to prevent injuries?
Here are some basic steps I would deploy if somebody were to put me in charge…
1. Survey every offensive position group on the team…. I’m sure this is already been done to some extent, but I want to know what these guys are doing on a regular basis, dig into some of the training habits in and out of the official facility, what is going on on their off days, how is recovery being facilitated? or is it being facilitated at all for some athletes? And do they feel that the staff is helping them accomplish their goals of staying on the field and competing at a high-level with minimal aches and pains.
2. Reevaluate everything that position group is doing in the workout room. The workout room is where volume can seriously add up to injury for skill positions.
These athletes already produce some of the most wild amounts of forces throughout their lower body on the team when on the field, and when it comes to the workout room it is no different.
There aren’t any movements you can do with the human body that are inherently “dangerous” but there are factors that are incredibly controllable, such as volume, resistance, recovery between workout sessions, duration of time that GPP work is being done, and how quickly athletes are progressed week to week.
At this point, all of those factors are up for evaluation. It is just an objective fact that too heavy of loads + too much volume can create an environment for injury, particularly with athletes at the skill position.
Lastly, as sort of a secondary approach, I would bring in Jordan brand as well as a foot specialist to ensure that our skill athletes are sporting the absolute safest, securest, and most injury resistant footwear that can be placed in and that the proper protocols are being followed with the footwear to ensure they behave reliably to minimize injury risk.
I’d love to hear what you all thing on the subject but just some thoughts as it feels like we may be gearing up for a potential injury fest the rest of spring.
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