Power is one of the most important commodities in sport. It doesn't matter if you are strong if you can't unleash that strength quickly. Power is often describes as force times velocity.
If you're a boxer it doesn't matter if you bench 400 lbs and other impressive lifts if you can't release that strength quickly. There are some really soft hitting big number lifters. There are really hard hitting guys that can't bench 250 lbs. If you squat 500 lbs but can't explode that strength quickly you won't be able to dunk or sprint for that matter. Look at a pro golfer when he hits that big drive. Some who are ill informed will say that's technique. Technique will determine direction and placement but make no mistake that a long drive is an example of power.
Power is more important in sports than pure strength. Strength does build power to an extent but never confuse power with strength. The term functional strength has been use for awhile yet it's meaning is misunderstood. Most just use the simplistic getting stronger is functional mantra. Functional strength term when used in it's proper context should be talking about increasing power toward an athletic goal.
How do you develop this speed power? First a partial derivative of strength training is an increase in power. As an athlete you should incorporate specific power exercises. Many who have never done Olympic lifts such as power cleans are surprised to find their sprinting speed and jumping ability go up dramatically. Truth be told Olympic lifting should have been labeled power lifting and power lifting; strength lifting. Sprints and jumps are power exercises. Throwing objects like a shot put or medicine balls increase power. Also hitting a heavy bag is another. Explosive pushups are also good. One of the things that first leave aging athletes is power not strength.
Maybe next time I will cover conditioning. A forgotten commodity in bodybuilding. All the strength and power is useless if an athlete gases because there is nothing in the tank.
Maybe another future post is these self proclaimed coaches and trainers to the stars. I'm tired of gym owners taking credit for their athletes achievements. I worked with this guy that bought his son a gym. The gym happened to be near a really rich town that many members of a NFL team had homes. Guess where the only weight lifting gym was near their town? He soon got an incredible reputation as the NFL trainer guru. Now he has division I players from all over the US flying in to him to get themselves ready for the combine. Anyone who makes it in the NFL he takes credit for. Does he really know his stuff? I would say yes but not as much as his big ego thinks.