Vols' Szerszen keeping focus on players

[weallvol]

“Everything we do really is about total athlete development,” he said. “I look at total athlete development, and that’s strength, power, explosiveness. With the power, we put a big emphasis on the Olympic lifts — power clean, clean pull, power jerk. Our conditioning was very short-space movements, very explosive, very game-specific, eight-second bursts, short rest intervals.

“We’re training our kids to be explosive, great movers.”

“I think we’re ready for a lot of reasons, but especially because of some big changes we made in the program,” said Barnett, an All-SEC player each of the past two seasons. “We made a lot of changes in the weight room, and Coach Shoop (new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop) was a great addition, as well. We’re doing some different things, some great things.”

Another of Tennessee’s best players — sophomore middle linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. — said he’s “definitely” enjoyed Szerszen’s changes. He particularly enjoyed training in position groups rather than as whole offensive or defensive units.
New Tennessee Vols strength and conditioning director Michael Szerszen keeping focus on players

 

[volnpowell]

“Everything we do really is about total athlete development,” he said. “I look at total athlete development, and that’s strength, power, explosiveness. With the power, we put a big emphasis on the Olympic lifts — power clean, clean pull, power jerk. Our conditioning was very short-space movements, very explosive, very game-specific, eight-second bursts, short rest intervals.

“We’re training our kids to be explosive, great movers.”

“I think we’re ready for a lot of reasons, but especially because of some big changes we made in the program,” said Barnett, an All-SEC player each of the past two seasons. “We made a lot of changes in the weight room, and Coach Shoop (new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop) was a great addition, as well. We’re doing some different things, some great things.”

Another of Tennessee’s best players — sophomore middle linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. — said he’s “definitely” enjoyed Szerszen’s changes. He particularly enjoyed training in position groups rather than as whole offensive or defensive units.
New Tennessee Vols strength and conditioning director Michael Szerszen keeping focus on players

It is hard to believe they had the whole units offensive and defensive!!! It only makes since to train by position because you would not expect or want to train a DL the same as a CB, LB etc. That was just plain dumb to train as a unit!!!!

 

[CoaxialOrange]

Agree with that. Makes zero sense to have it divided by side of the ball

 

[sanddune50]

Not to mention Szerszen brings apple fritters and bear claws to the training sessions. Has a Planet Fitness feel to it.

 

[weallvol]

It is hard to believe they had the whole units offensive and defensive!!! It only makes since to train by position because you would not expect or want to train a DL the same as a CB, LB etc. That was just plain dumb to train as a unit!!!!

That could explain why there was so many injuries and why Lawson was let go

 

[Other_Guy]

Notice how Barnett is excited about where they are headed because of the changes in the weight room etc, then he basically adds "O yeah and we added Shoop too." lol

 

[RollerVol]

like the approach...just makes sense and sounds like a very positive mental approach to getting ready to be slobberknockers...

GO VOLS!

 

[LA vol7]

Notice how Barnett is excited about where they are headed because of the changes in the weight room etc, then he basically adds "O yeah and we added Shoop too." lol

I noticed that too. What a great hire, and everybody knows it! I can't wait to see this defense. We won't show a whole lot defensively that first week if we don't have too, but I can't wait to see them, especially Kongbo!

 

[Remy]

I noticed that too. What a great hire, and everybody knows it! I can't wait to see this defense. We won't show a whole lot defensively that first week if we don't have too, but I can't wait to see them, especially Kongbo!

I'm not sure we'll see the total package defensively until Shoop has to pull that rabbit out of the hat. UF's offense is waaaay suspect this year, if we take them on 9/24 without having to do much with schemes and calls we may not see a lot more until UGA there. Even then, if we can get by without too much revealed he'll do that. Where I think we can see some real Shoopadoops will happen when Bama visits. Kiffen sees himself as being clever and he'll try to do some new and tricky things to show everybody Shoop is not all that and I think Shoop will respond. I however don't think Shoop unveils almost everything though even then as we should have beaten UF & UGA at that point and be on our way to the SECG. There he is subject to lay all his cards on the table if he must and if we win there, every playoff game afterward as well IMO.

 

[chattaboogie]

I'm not sure we'll see the total package defensively until Shoop has to pull that rabbit out of the hat. UF's offense is waaaay suspect this year, if we take them on 9/24 without having to do much with schemes and calls we may not see a lot more until UGA there. Even then, if we can get by without too much revealed he'll do that. Where I think we can see some real Shoopadoops will happen when Bama visits. Kiffen sees himself as being clever and he'll try to do some new and tricky things to show everybody Shoop is not all that and I think Shoop will respond. I however don't think Shoop unveils almost everything though even then as we should have beaten UF & UGA at that point and be on our way to the SECG. There he is subject to lay all his cards on the table if he must and if we win there, every playoff game afterward as well IMO.

Making it to Atlanta while keeping our defense vanilla the whole way? I like your optimism.

 

[kamoshika]

Perhaps the most notable change in Szerzen’s system is how much more individual attention each player receives in the new small group settings. Senior offensive lineman Dylan Wiesman focused on his hip flexibility, while Abernathy concentrated on improving his lower-body power.

Although Szerzen deflected credit for Tennessee’s offseason changes, junior cornerback Emmanuel Mosley gladly did the heavy lifting for him.

“Man, I really like the new (system),” said Mosley, who teammates noted is the strongest player pound-for-pound in the locker room. “I like the way we switched to Olympic lifts because that’s what it takes to be more successful on the football field. You got to bring that extra little oomph when you hit.”
https://www.seccountry.com/tennessee/under-michael-szerszen-tennessee-changes-strength-and-conditioning-program