Thread: opinion on lifting for football

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Originally Posted by jld2789

Okay I am 15 years old I can bench 225, squat 405 many times, dead lift 375, leg press 400, i run a 40 in 4.8, i weigh 175 lbs, and i am a sophmore in high school. I was wondering if this is a good ability to do this much at the age of 15. Oh and i do football and track. I throw Discus and shot in track and in football i am a fullback and linebacker. I would like to know some good tips to raise me bench and all of that if u can help me i would appreciate u emailing me at jl.dove@insightbb.com and if u think that this is good to be this strong at 15 please email me also . THANKS ALOT PEACE OUT

For 15, I'd say those numbers are outstanding. I would have thought those numbers were impossible, but while at the beach I met at 15 year old kid who was tossing around similar numbers. He was a rock!

I wonder if you are doing squat correctly, b/c for me, my squat is much less than my leg press...so, I'd concentrate on going to or slightly below parallel.

The reps at 225 will be important b/c that is one of the ways football players are evaluated for strength.

well when i squat i take it down as low as i can go

I wouldnt take a squat down that low, nothing below parallel or not far below. If you want to mix up the weight a little then change elevation with boards under your feet. The last thing you want is back/knee problems from bringing squats to low. If these numbers are correct, and yeah I'll go ahead an believe you too, then you are well on the road to realizeing your dreams with football. Now I speak to you as a former coach.

I think you will increase your bench be "eating" to increase your bench,that, and completely dedicateing yourself to the weights. Most of all squats! Football is a game that is largely played from the legs and the ass. Explosive leg power is the key to explosive hits, this is not to underestimate the importance of developeing your upper body also. But mostly football is a game from the waist down and in training for this game squats are king. Squats will also vastly help your 40 yrd time. This 40 yrd time will to a great degree control the opportunities you get to play, colleges will look heavily at this. Most of all for a linebacker. Your going to want a 40 yrd at 4.6 or faster.

Its also time for you to start bulking. But bulk wisely with only long term goals. And dont neglect felxability. To be lifting these numbers at your age, and your weight, shows a focus and dedication I used to rarely see in 15 yo players. Bring this dedication to excellence to all facets of your life, most of all school grades. Right now your first priority is getting a free ride to college by playing ball.............good luck and take care................Rich

Originally Posted by Rich46yo

I wouldnt take a squat down that low, nothing below parallel or not far below.

You wouldn't take a squat how low? Didn't we just say basically the same thing?

I wouldnt take a squat down that low, nothing below parallel or not far below. If you want to mix up the weight a little then change elevation with boards under your feet. The last thing you want is back/knee problems from bringing squats to low. If these numbers are correct, and yeah I'll go ahead an believe you too, then you are well on the road to realizeing your dreams with football. Now I speak to you as a former coach.

this is the stupidest advise I have ever heard. squattin below parallel strengthens tendons in the knees and is good for you, anyone who says otherwise doesn't know squat!

I do agree on taking your squat bellow parallel. Don’t worry about the weight your doing for a 15 year old. They are above the average of most of my teammates I knew when I was 15 but certainly not better than the best lifters we had and they turned out to be ok. I’m surprised you don’t have lifts there like power cleans, snatch and hang clean. Just remember to keep you form as a priority, not weight.

OKay thanks alot everyone

Actually GR81, there is evidence for both squatting parrallel and squatting below parallel.

I usually only go parallel because I stay within my strongest range for my quads, allowing me to use more weight.

keep eating and lifting and sprinting


if you notice most linebackers and fullbacks are arround 230 245 out of college

I would recommend basic strength training. Focus 3 days a week on strength training and 2 -3 days on conditioning/sprints/quickness drills.

Squat and legs on day 1
Bench and Pressing movements on day 2
Deadlifts and pulling movements on day 3.

Conditioning is dependant a lot on off-season coaching routine, etc.

Actually GR81, there is evidence for both squatting parrallel and squatting below parallel.

this makes no sense camaro, I was replying to his statement that squattin below parallel will inhibit knees problems, when in actuallity it is better to do so, what he means is that squatting with BAD form below parallel is not a good diea, which most people do. Its ridiculous to suggest that a deep squat is bad for you thou, it is not and if you are not getting deep then its not a legit lift. I realize that benefits of al types of variations of the squat. Not really sure what you mean by saying there is evidence of both?! yes people have done it before but since when is that a barometer from which we measure ourselves by?

I usually only go parallel because I stay within my strongest range for my quads, allowing me to use more weight.

btw this statement makes zero sense either bro, if you really want to squat as much weight as possible the quads have very little to do with a strong squat. THE MOST important components to the squat are the hamstrings, the glutes, and the core muscles made up of the abs and lower back. The vital movement is the droppin of the hip flexor which necessitates a wider stance, hence the importance of the hams. It will not be a legit lift in any powerlifting boook unless you break parallel by at least an inch or so, its a must.

I have read differing opinions about deep squats being relatively safe/unsafe. I understand the powerlifting requirements, but powerlifters have their own set of criteria/guidelines that may not be suitable for someone not looking to powerlift. (Bench shirts for example)

What I meant by my second statement is that I can do heavier squats going parallel, than going below because my quads are my strongest leg muscle, and it allows me to keep them in their strongest range of motion. I use Squats mostly as a quad exercise, although they do involve all of the leg muscles and most of the entire body itself.

I dont agree however that if you do not go below parallel, then it is not a legit lift? Most people are not confined to powerlifting standards, and the lift being legit or not has nothing to do with going below parallel. I know many fine squatters who do not go below parallel for various reasons, who have built extremely impressive legs.

That being said, I dont see a problem with going below either.

I dont agree however that if you do not go below parallel, then it is not a legit lift?

its not a question of whether or not you agree or not, thats the deal, if you aren't squatting to the correct length then its not a real squat. Its not bad for you, thats just some BS people say b/c its too hard to go all the way down, its nonsense. I am not saying that your ass has to be touching the ground, but you need to be going at least an inch below period bro. no question about it. The squat form is very technical and not just for powerlifters. if you are performing the squat, you need to do it right, period! It does have the potential to cause harm if your form is not correct and you spend years squatting with improper form..