Got this question on IG from Rex Burkhead, thought I’d answer it here too.
“Tony, love your feed the cats stuff. How would you balance this approach while still training the mental aspect of football, other sports, etc. when tired or pressure situations occur in the game when fatigued? Thanks and keep up the great work.”
Rex: The FTC approach is often misunderstood as being soft. Football has operated with a military model for 100 years. Physical and mental toughness was cultivated by doing random hard things, pushing past limits, deprivation, and verbal abuse. Athletes, like soldiers, were intentionally “broken” with the intent of building them back stronger.
A FTC approach maximizes energy and enthusiasm, physical and mental health, extreme athleticism, and most importantly, a love of training and practice. These traits create a different type of toughness. FTC football coaches use the word “violent” to describe their toughness. It makes sense in my mind… tired, broken athletes are not as tough as fast, healthy athletes.
In addition, when fatigued, fast “unconditioned” athletes are faster than slow “conditioned” athletes.