Thanks to a connect from my guy Henry Barrera, I was fortunate enough to be a big part of Nike’s LeBron 12 Shoe Launch media event. The best part was not the free gear I got, but the fact that I was able to watch LeBron James do a full workout. It’s not every day you get to see an elite athlete’s training regimen, let alone one of the best players to ever do it. His workout consisted of segments of skill drills with coach Damon Jones broken up with strength and mobility drills led by trainer Mike Mencias. What impressed me most was the efficiency he performed his workout with. Granted, this is easier to do with 2 coaches ready to serve your every need, but it’s still something that can be replicated by players of any level. Here are 3 important things I observed from LeBron’s workout.
1. Fundamentals never quit
LeBron’s workout was not flashy. There were no secret drills or breakthrough techniques. He worked on footwork in game-like situations. Every rep looked identical. When you are performing skill workouts, focus on how you are moving and the footwork you are performing each drill with. Whatever your focus is for that drill, make an effort to master it on each rep.
2. What you do after the workout will increase your gains
After his workout was finished, he spent a good 30 minutes stretching and performing low-impact mobility work. Again, stretching is much easier when you have a trainer doing it for you. However, this is not a reason for a majority of young athletes to overlook this portion of their athletic development. Create or find a flexibility/mobility routine and stay diligent and consistent.
3. Don’t expect a perfect result every time
I have seen countless young players vocally and emotionally display their frustration during workouts when they go on a streak of missed shots or lose the dribble during ball handling work. Although it’s common opinion that LeBron is not a pure shooter, he is still one of the greatest in the game. He made shots during his workout with efficiency. Yet, he still had streaks of misses (I counted 6 at one point). This did not shake his mindset. He wasn’t happy with himself, but he remained consistent in how he performed the drills.
