But that coach's stories aren't just stories. They're true and they're a testament to the huge strides high schools have made in the way their football players train. Naples High School football player Alex Nickell, a junior, lifts in the weight room during practice. The differences between training methods now and methods from 20 and 30 years ago are glaring, and every football coach will tell you that. Players now train the entire body and there is something for every part of the body.
Parachutes are strapped to their backs to improve their speed.
They use large rubber bands to achieve better flexibility. They use plyometrics, the practice of hopping from dot to dot in a five-dot area, to improve their footwork and agility. We're very technical now. Every year we try to learn more in terms of the body. That technical approach has invaded other areas as well.