Increasing flat bench reps with 225 for football combine

[Hosehead]

A 40 year old buddy of mine has recently decided to go back to college and try out for the football team. He has a two year window to increase his strength but would like to know what the best method is for increasing his reps with 225. He hasn't even started training yet but he can do it for 5 reps. The average defensive lineman on the team he is trying out for does 18 reps. I have been lifting for 23 years and do 225x30 but I have no idea how I got there as it was never a goal and I have never played football. He will be drug free. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[slaveboy1980]

get some drugs

[Hosehead]

Well I did say any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks dude.

[jpm101]

Have your Bud talk to the school strength/conditioning coach. Guessing it's a small school, so there might not be one there full time, so talk to any of the coaches. That bench test is so much BS, if they are honest with your Bud. But they want it anyway.

It's stamina (strength plus endurance)  and quickness. Don't always have to be super fast, but quick. for football training. If he's 40 now, and in two more years he wants to play, than special attention will be paid to his physical exam. Plus any extra insurance he  may need if he joins the team.

Played 1-A in college, but as approaching 40 myself, no way would I want to go through any of that again. Best wishes to your friend.

Might try 5X5's as an excellent football weight program. Different version around, so check the internet sites. ANd do have him sprint and run an awful lot. Good luck.

[_bruce_]

Have your Bud talk to the school strength/conditioning coach. Guessing it's a small school, so there might not be one there full time, so talk to any of the coaches. That bench test is so much BS, if they are honest with your Bud. But they want it anyway.

It's stamina (strength plus endurance)  and quickness. Don't always have to be super fast, but quick. for football training. If he's 40 now, and in two more years he wants to play, than special attention will be paid to his physical exam. Plus any extra insurance he  may need if he joins the team.

Played 1-A in college, but as approaching 40 myself, no way would I want to go through any of that again. Best wishes to your friend.

Might try 5X5's as an excellent football weight program. Different version around, so check the internet sites. ANd do have him sprint and run an awful lot. Good luck.

x2

[jon cole]

A 40 year old buddy of mine has recently decided to go back to college and try out for the football team. He has a two year window to increase his strength but would like to know what the best method is for increasing his reps with 225. He hasn't even started training yet but he can do it for 5 reps. The average defensive lineman on the team he is trying out for does 18 reps. I have been lifting for 23 years and do 225x30 but I have no idea how I got there as it was never a goal and I have never played football. He will be drug free. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

they're is few specialist at my gym.

they talk about doing a normal warmup, then a sub max -95/97% to boost your cns , then do max rep with 242 or 235.

[jpm101]

Don't know if this applies to HH's friend, but: This reminds me that many college football players have gotten 4 year scholarship by just plugging up holes or moving forward a yard or so in a lineman play. Don't have to do much, just be a large body in the way. That is all that is require from them. They never are in for a full game, no need too, just on select plays.   Don't have to have great skills, endurance or be great athletes , but extra large jumbo size. But they must be somewhat quick.  They can make or break any well planned offense or defense play.

Some of these lineman may preform average in weight workouts or squad drills. Maybe struggling with 205-220 for a few reps on the bench (I've seen this many times). But in a game they're pushing and pulling other players around like rag dolls. They're only strong when they have to be. Good luck.