Speed is strength program's primary focus in offseason
Kentucky's preseason football practices don't start until Sunday, but the program's strength coaches have been working with the players through the summer.
Strength coach Mark Hill and Corey Edmond told CatsIllustrated.com that there's been no rest for the weary.
"In recent weeks we've put together a schedule," Hill says, obviously trying to reduce a long, time-consuming and comprehensive process into a simple message packaged for outsiders to understand.
The team is broken down into four groups each day. Breaking down into smaller groups for training helps ensure "individualized attention," which is crucial to each player's development, is provided.
But what's the primary focus of the strength coaches and UK's players in offseason training?
It's no secret that college football, and football at every level, have become more and more about speed. Faster tempo, more plays, using more of the field — just a few modern accretions that have tweaked the game from its earlier common use.
Football's about speed, and so that's what Kentucky trains for.
"The first aspect of our program starts with speed," Hill said.
Then comes the work to build power, strength, explosiveness and other attributes. But speed comes first.
Summer training hasn't been about preparing players for the grind of an SEC schedule. It's been about something more basic than that.
"We try to put all that together in reference to conditioning for the rigors of fall camp," Hill told CatsIllustrated.com. "We're not getting ready for the season. We're getting ready for fall camp."
Camp, which begins on Sunday, is the preparation for the season.
