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XL Athlete is proud to provide its clients with some of the best sports performance and training literature in the world. We highly recommend each of these products as critical sources of important training information. If you are looking to start your training library, or bolster the resources you already have, you have come to the right place!
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Block Periodization By Vladimir Issurin
Block Periodization
Our Price: $65.00

Block Periodization. by sport science expert Vladimir Issurin,  is an advanced text designed for high-level coaches working with elite athletes. The basis of contemporary training was founded several decades ago when scientific knowledge was far from complete and athletes' workloads, results, and demands were much lower then they are currently. At that time the traditional training periodization, as a division of the whole seasonal program into smaller periods and training units, was proposed and elucidated. This traditional periodization was republished many times and became a universal and monopolistic approach to training planning and analysis. However, further progress in sport science has reinforced the contradictions between traditional periodization and the successful experiences of prominent coaches and athletes. Gradually, these experiences led to alternative coaching concepts and, ultimately, a revamped training approach called Block Periodization. Its general idea presupposes the use and sequencing of specialized mesocycle-blocks, where highly concentrated training workloads are focused on a minimal number of motor and technical abilities. Unlike traditional periodization, where simultaneous development of many abilities is the norm, the block periodization concept proposes the consecutive training stimulation of carefully selected fitness components. This new approach has been implemented in various sports and has led to outstanding athletic achievements. Therefore, the purpose of this book is to introduce Block Periodization of sport training as a general concept and as the basis for a revamped training system. The adoption of this system requires reformation of many theoretical positions and practical guidelines, which previously seemed unshakable. This book is intended for coaches, athletes, researchers and physical education students. It is unique in the field because it links successful experience from world sport practice with the scientific basis of sport training. It consolidates empirically proved positions with the most up-to-date scientific knowledge.
Building A Better Athlete By Michael Yessis
Building A Better Athlete
Our Price: $23.00

This just released book by Dr. Yessis is the most comprehensive sports training book ever written on what it takes to develop an athlete. It covers technique of the basic skills, the physical qualities needed for sports in general, for specific sports, and how they should be developed. In addition, specific recommendations on nutrition (that have never before been presented to athletes) are given in easy to understand terms. There is also a chapter on the role of vision and vision training. The book is a culmination of over 50 years of working with and teaching athletes how to develop their full potential and be successful in their chosen sport. It is unmatched in not only the book's scope, but in the detail given to each of the factors. Many of the concepts presented are state-of-the-art and have been proven in practice. In fact, the information is based not only on the knowledge available in the U.S. but in the leading sporting nations. This book is of great benefit to coaches, athletes and parents who are working with their youngsters to improve performance. Especially valuable are the chapters dealing with the basic skills of throwing, jumping, hitting, running and kicking. By learning what constitutes effective technique and how it can be taught and/or improved the athletes often improve more than if they only did conditioning work, playing and practicing.
Explosive Basketball Training By Michael Yessis
Explosive Basketball Training
Our Price: $20.95

Dr. Michael Yessis has written the most complete book on how to become a great basketball player. This is the only book that looks at technique and special strength and explosive exercises specific to each basketball skill. In this book you will learn how to jump higher and quicker, how to shoot further and with more accuracy, how to make your cuts sharper and more powerful to become even quicker in your movements and how to run faster. It is the first to have: Sequence pictures showing all of the skills in detail and photos taken from live digital video, Introduction to specialized strength, flexibility and explosive exercises (compared to general exercises as typically practiced), Introduction to active stretching (as opposed to the common static stretching), Biomechanical analyses of players jumping, running, shooting, and cutting described in simple, everyday language, Common faults in each skill shown and described and how they can be corrected, The latest in basketball specific nutrition, Integrated training programs to improve your jump height, shooting ability and accuracy, quickness in your cutting actions and first couple steps You will learn new and unique strength and explosive exercises that duplicate the actions that you must perform in jumping, shooting, cutting and running. With better technique and development of higher levels of strength and explosiveness specific to the skills, you will be able to develop your full potential This information cannot be found in any other book on the market!
Explosive Golf Training By Michael Yessis
Explosive Golf Training
Our Price: $30.95

Explosive Golf, by Dr. Michael Yessis, is the first golf book ever written that fully explains not only the biomechanics of the swing, but also how the swing can be improved through technique and one's physical abilities. It the only book that has a detailed analysis of swing technique showing each action, why it is needed, and the sequence in which it occurs. Improvement of physical abilities is based upon technique and contains exercises that duplicate exactly every action that occurs in the golf swing. Not only is technique duplicated, but strength is also improved in the same range of motion and with the same type of muscular contraction It is the first to have: Sequence pictures of the key actions from each swing phase in detail taken from live digital video, Introduction to specialized strength, flexibility and explosive exercises (compared to general exercises as typically practiced for golf fitness), Introduction to active stretching (as opposed to the common static stretching) to prepare you for the swing and to prevent injury, Biomechanical analyses of players hitting described in simple, everyday language, Common faults in each skill and swing phase shown and described and how they can be corrected for pros and the recreational golfer, The latest in golf specific nutrition, Training programs to improve your swing for more distance and accuracy, Exercises to strengthen the lower back muscles, especially as used in the golf swing. Proven to not only improve your swing but prevent back injuries. You will learn new and unique strength and explosive exercises that duplicate the actions that you must perform in swinging the club. With better technique and development of higher levels of strength and explosiveness specific each action, you will be able to develop your full potential. This information cannot be found in any other book on the market!
Explosive Plyometrics By Michael Yessis
Explosive Plyometrics
Our Price: $45.95

Explosive Plyometrics can give you the speed and power you need for any sport. This is the definitive book on what are real explosive plyometrics. Keep in mind that although explosive plyometrics uses jumps, not all jump exercises are plyometric. This book gives you the true explosive plyometric exercises for you to develop the greatest speed and explosive power possible. This easy to read and well illustrated book with pictures taken from live digital film, will answer all your questions and give you information never before reported by Verkhoshansky, the creator of plyometrics and others. Individual chapters are devoted to the latest state-of-the-art leg, arm, midsection and total body explosive training. They guarantee that you will increase your explosive power and sport fitness, to become a better performing athlete. Author Michael Yessis, Ph.D., was the pioneer in introducing plyometrics to the United States and played a major role in disseminating the information. He explains how you can get the most benefit from the plyometric exercises and the science that will make you a better athlete. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Understanding Explosive Plyometrics Chapter 2: Explosive Leg Training Chapter 3: Explosive Arm Training Chapter 4: Explosive Mid-Section Training Chapter 5: Total Body Explosive Training Chapter 6: Integration of Plyometric Training Chapter 7: Other Factors
Explosive Running By Michael Yessis
Explosive Running
Our Price: $18.95

This book, by Dr. Michael Yessis, is a book of firsts not seen in any other running book! If you have ever wanted to improve your running, there has never been a better time to start. Explosive Running is the answer to your running woes. Not only does this book explain the mechanics of running, but it breaks running technique into easy to follow steps. No other book comes close to matching the specificity of the running technique analyses and the strength and flexibility exercises presented in this book. Serious sprinters, long distance and running athletes in other sports should not be without it. It is the first to have: Sequence pictures of different level runners taken from live digital video, Introduction to specialized strength, flexibility and explosive exercises (compared to general exercises as typically practiced), Introduction to active stretching (as opposed to the common static stretching), Biomechanical analyses of runners described in simple, everyday language, Common running faults shown and described and how they can be corrected, The latest in running specific nutrition, Integrated training programs to improve your speed and distance of running, Barefoot running discussed in detail
Game Day: A Goaltender's Guide To Pre-Game Preparation
Game Day: A Goaltender's Guide To Pre-Game Preparation
Our Price: $28.00

Game Day, by Justin Johnson, is a completely customizable training manual written by and directly for hockey goaltenders. Game Day is written on the premise that through the development of a game day routine the goaltender will find what it takes to reach their peak performance zone game after game. Ultimately the goaltender will become more confident, focused, and consistent than they ever have before. Every chapter introduces the goaltender to important concepts and then walks them through realistic examples leading them towards their own program. Game Day covers a full range of topics dealing with mental toughness. Game Day Topics, Goal Setting, Mental Imagery, Dealing with Adversity and Managing Disappointment, Motivation, Stretching and Journaling
Just Call Me Coach: Biography of Dick Strahm
Just Call Me Coach: Biography of Dick Strahm
Our Price: $34.50

Now you can purchase the biography of legendary University of Findlay football coach Dick Strahm, who led the UF Oilers to four National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championships. "Just Call Me Coach," written by Lima freelance writer John Grindrod, chronicles not only Strahm's success on the football field but also his battles for survival against heart disease, stroke and cancer. Coach Strahm taught in his native Toledo as well as in Lakota, Bryan and Warren at the high school level, then made a foray into Division I with stints as assistant coach at the University of Toledo and Kansas State before settling in as head coach at Findlay. Strahm's teams at Findlay won national titles in 1979, 1992, 1995 and 1997. He retired in 1999, after 24 years at Findlay, during which he compiled a 183-64-5 record. In 2004, he was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., college football's highest honor. Inspirational and full of anecdotes from a coaching career that spanned nearly 40 years "Just Call Me Coach" portrays the character and competitiveness that made Strahm one of the most honored and beloved coaches in the nation, revered by some of the renowned names in sports: "Perhaps the greatest story ever written in this state that revolves around this game is the story of the legendary Dick Strahm." Jim Tressel, head football coach The Ohio State University "This book will touch you with the story of one man whose desire to succeed and courage in overcoming adversity made him a winner both on and off the field." Dick Vitale Television analyst for ESPN
Kinesiology of Exercise By Michael Yessis
Kinesiology of Exercise
Our Price: $20.95

With more than 70 exercises accompanied by photographs and anatomical drawings, KINESIOLOGY OF EXERCISE is one of the most comprehensive books on strength training exercises currently available. Written by Dr. Michael Yessis, a recognized authority in this field, KINESIOLOGY OF EXERCISE is essential for coaches, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, physical therapists, bodybuilders -- virtually everyone interested in performing strength training exercises safely and effectively. Published in 1992, this book has yet to be equaled regarding its content and detail. It still maintains its position as being the #1 reference book for learning everything about the most commonly used strength exercises, both machine and free weight exercises. Also contained is information on how to get started and to make progress in your strength training program. In contains detailed muscle analyses of the movements which together with the descriptions are written in a simple, easy to understand manner. Each exercise is accompanied with before and after pictures together with a picture of the muscle involved and its location. The book is unique in that it describes each exercise in relation to the joints that are involved rather than simply body area which is often misleading. By developing the muscles by their joint actions, you get a better appreciation and understanding on how the muscle functions and its role in the body.
Principles and Basics of Advanced Athletic Training By Vladimir Issurin
Principles and Basics of Advanced Athletic Training
Our Price: $72.00

The purpose of the second book by Dr. Issurin, published by Ultimate Athlete Concepts, is to provide basic knowledge on general training, summarize up-to-date information on the concepts of training effects and athletes’ trainability, and to share new knowledge on training design and evaluation in the view of the Block Periodization system. The book contains materials and findings, which taken as a whole are devoted to reaching the aforementioned purposes. The basic terms, methods and principles of sport training, which clarify the comprehensive mechanism of physical fitness improvement, are presented in up-to-date interpretations. In particular, the effects produced by systematic training are a major focus of the author. An unequivocal understanding of training effects requires special elucidation which the author provides. Indeed, practical needs dictate making a distinction between short-term and long-term responses in athletes; such relatively new concepts as delayed and residual training effects have great importance both as a scientific background and practically, for the designing of training programs. Likewise, athlete trainability, meaning the ability to respond positively to training workloads, takes on paramount importance in sport science and athletic training. All these aspects are thoroughly considered with special attention given to the practical needs of coaches and athletes. A substantial part of the book is devoted to designing training programs. The author's description touches on traditional training periodization, which was promulgated more than five decades ago, and non-traditional approaches such as Block Periodization, which continue to draw the interest of coaches, athletes, and training analysts. Readers will find unfamiliar thoughts and concepts about Block Periodized training. More specifically, aspects of peaking that are extremely important for competitive sport are considered in light of Block Periodization and the successful experiences of top-level athletes. The modeling approaches, which are presented in the final chapter of the book, can be very productive in terms of elucidating training targets, individual and collective norms of sport-specific abilities and training workloads. All parts of the book contain unique findings of the author, which were collected during his long-term practical work with Eastern European (mostly Soviet) and Western coaches and athletes.