This year the Toronto Raptors will be playing the Golden State Warriors. The Golden State Warriors will be making their fifth straight finals appearance, this will be Toronto's first time in the finals.
And there's one reason for that...
Kawhi Leonard.
If you haven't been following the NBA let me catch you up really quick..
- Kawhi has been the Raptors' best offensive/defensive player in every series averaging 31 points and 9 rebounds a game.
- He hit an absurd number of big shots, big stops and grabbed critical rebounds.
- He shut down MVP Contender Giannis Antetokounmpo for four straight games to win the Eastern Conference Finals.
- Hitting a buzzer beat to elevate Toronto to the Conference Finals
Kawhi Leonard has racked up quite the resume this post-season.
But he was also criticized throughout the regular season for taking part in "load management".
Load Management is taking time off from playing games to ensure a player stays fresh. Kawhi IS NOT the only player to do it in the NBA, LeBron took games off for load management as well. This isn't a new thing in sports, athletes will take games off or be limited minutes in hopes of winning a championship. This happens in every major sports NHL, NFL, and MLB.
Quarterbacks and other key players might skip games at the end of the season after securing the number one playoff spot.
MLB veteran players might get a night off every couple series to deal with the wear and tear of playing a regular season.
It looks like Load Management will be paying off for the Kawhi and the Raptors this year, as he looks fresh and at the top of his game right now.
The grit and grind take a toll on the body. You lose power, strength, and muscle throughout a regular season. This is not contested by anybody.
But if you're not an NBA All-Star ( or elite pro athlete) you don't have the privilege of load management...
You have to manage load differently. There are two things you can do to manage load throughout the year.
1)
Continue to train throughout the season. When training throughout the season you need to stimulate the body just enough to maintain strength power and muscle, but not to the point where it excessively fatigues the body. I published an article on In-Season Training HERE. These principals should also be followed throughout the summer season. Although we are able to push the envelop a little more throughout the Summer Tournament Season because there are fewer practices and less environmental stressors.
2)
Take time away from the competition throughout the year.
Too much time playing the same sport opens the door for overuse injuries. It is highly suggested that youth athletes don't play their sport competitively year round. That athletes take a season or two off each year to play another sport or focus on training for their sport.
Wear and Tear injuries are caused fatiguing of the muscles, with hundred of micro-tears occurring every day from strenuous activities.
Think of it like bending a paper clip back and forth. When you bend if back and forth long enough it will snap.
This is why it's important to have the proper plan in place to get the most out of your body.
Whether you are still competing through Summer or using it as a training season, our Summer Sports Program will help you get and stay strong for your sport. We make sure to manage loads in training to maintain muscle mass.
