Triphasic Training II

Like many strength coaches, I got an early Christmas gift in the mail this week: Cal Dietz’s Triphasic Training II. I’m beyond excited to dig into it over Winter Break. I’ve long been a fan of Cal’s methods, and his influence runs deep through my programs. Whether it’s Triphasic principles, RPR (Reflexive Performance Reset), or the Spring Ankle Series, Cal has provided the field—and me personally—with an incredible amount of value. But perhaps the most impactful lesson I’ve learned from Cal didn’t come from a book or a seminar. It came from a Zoom call in 2013 during my time at Springfield College. We had the chance to ask him questions and pick his brain on all things strength and conditioning. During that call, he dropped a line that I still think about to this day: “Monsters make you wonder why they hate the weights so bad.” That quote has stuck with me ever since. It’s a reminder to constantly ask myself: Am I creating monsters in the weight room? Am I programming sets, reps, and exercises that truly challenge my athletes? Am I building an environment where intensity, effort, and focus are non-negotiables? Am I pushing them to give maximal intent on every exercise and every drill—not just the hardest ones? Cal Dietz may be known for his advanced methods and cutting-edge techniques, but that’s not his only secret to success. He understands that making monsters isn’t just about having the best program on paper. It’s about demanding effort, pushing boundaries, and building athletes who develop an almost combative relationship with the weights. Athletes who show up, ready to battle, because they know that’s where greatness lies. As coaches, we need to ask ourselves if we’re truly setting the stage for that kind of development. Are we helping our athletes become monsters who refuse to let the weight win?

This week, take a hard look at your training environment. Is it one that breeds monsters? If not, what’s missing? Let’s make sure we’re pushing our athletes—and ourselves—to that next level. Keep the Fire Burning, Leech Looking for new agility drills for your offseason program? Scores and Stops has you covered! Scores and Stops Check out the Latest Podcast I was on talking all things related to Scores and Stops Podcast Follow me on Twitter! I try to share training clips, thoughts, and ideas daily there. Twitter Profile RemovemyEmail · Preferences