What do the 2010 Oregon Duck foot team and Japanese Marathoners have in common? My answer would be simple: a dynamic coach behind the system who has the long term in mind when training athletes. Let’s start with Oregon.

I’m not talking about Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly, though he’s no doubt a very good college football coach, but instead I’m talking about strength and conditioning coach Jim Radcliffe. You may be familiar with Coach Radcliffe as one of the authorities on plyometric training in this country, with his High Powered Plyometrics book and DVD and his excellent book Functional Training for Athletes at All Levels. While he’s working with a football program playing for the BCS championships his roots are in solidly in track and field.