C.L.A.Y. LEVEL TWO SEMINAR

Moving from the fundamental to the functional to the dynamic to the elite.

We will cover one of four individual sport categories in the Level Two seminar. Unlike the Level One seminar, Level Two is about athleticism as it relates to sports and not just movement.

C.L.A.Y. has taken more than 600 sports and divided them into four distinct categories.

• Running/Jumping (R/J)

• Throwing/Striking (T/S)

• Acrobatic/Combative (A/C)

• Dynamic Force Stabilization (DFS)

Understand that all sports combine a modicum of each category. But there is a hierarchical sequence for each sport, meaning, each sport has a secondary, tertiary and quaternary category. Sometimes it can get complicated because most sports have different positions that fall into different hierarchical sequences.

For instance, in American football, the hierarchical sequence of outside linebackers, quarterbacks, running backs, kickers and defensive and offensive lineman are all different.

• Outside linebacker: R/J - A/C - DFS - T/S

• Quarterback: T/S – R/J – A/C – DFS

• Running back: R/J – A/C – T/S – DFS

• Kicker: T/S – R/J – A/C - DFS

• Lineman: A/C – DFS – R/J – T/S

The sequencing can get even trickier, because the line between two groups, within the context of the sport, can be incredibly blurry. Look at volleyball. Is its primary R/J or T/S? Volleyball athletes run and jump all the time, right? They do, but they can literally play the sport without running or jumping. Therein lies the delineation for C.L.A.Y. – the hierarchical sequence begins with the category that provides the most basic need for success. Volleyball athletes must strike the ball by serving, spiking, setting, digging or bumping. They do not absolutely have to run or jump to do any of those. Granted running and jumping could make each strike more effective, but neither is absolutely required.

Now, look at soccer. Is its primary R/J or T/S? Actually, there is a valid argument for both. However, the argument depends on the position. Forwards can advance the ball without running or jumping.  They can kick the ball to a teammate who has literally walked or jogged to a specific position. Running can make a forward’s job much easier and more successful, but it’s not absolutely needed. A soccer defender is different.

Defenders have to be adept at getting in position to prevent the ball’s advancement. A defender must be quick, fast and explosive in order to get to the passed balls. A defender can merely get in the way of a kick to deflect it.  So, kicking isn’t even mandatory for a defender. R/J would be the primary for a defender. Finally, what does the goalie do? Kicking? Yes. Jumping? Yes. But more than in anything, the goalie is constantly explosive in tight quarters – compared with the rest of the field. The goalie is lunging, ducking, diving, jumping, punching, reaching, pushing and pulling and to protect a box that’s eight feet high by 24 feet wide (international dimensions). If you’re thinking A/C as a primary, you’re thinking correctly.

There is always a primary and a secondary, always. But sometimes, as in the example with the soccer forward, the gap between the two is so minuscule that a coach would train the primary only slightly more than the secondary.

The hierarchical sequencing is done for clarity, not confusion. The sequencing goes a long way toward helping the strength and conditioning coach understand the modes needed to be used to give the athlete the best opportunities for success.

We will briefly cover the Level One assessment. That initial assessment is complete as is, and is used for all sports because it measures age-appropriate breathing, fundamental movement ability, fundamental sport skills, strength, power and speed.  Remember, though, there is a distinct difference between fundamental movement and functional movement. The fundamental movement skills assessments measure the athlete’s ability to be locomotive, to control the body, to maintain stability and to be aware of the body in space in three ways: kinesthetically, vestibularly and dynamically. The functional movement skills involve fluidity in motion that requires a combination of mobility, stability and fundamental movements - all while handling instruments

Each Level Two seminar will provide a set of assessments specific to the sports category. After learning and practicing the new assessments, seminar attendees will cover coaching techniques from basic to advanced levels. We will have athletes there for the attendees to assess and train. But, attendees should be prepared to participate in the activities, too, as we believe that “doing” is one of the best ways to learn.