The Intersection of Skill & Neural Drive

When asked about the relationship between good form and proper intensity, Greg Glassman famously said, “When we meet for lunch, do you want me to go to the right place or be on time?” I’ve always loved the elegance of his answer to properly marry two concepts together that are often presented as mutually exclusive. 

But, what about skill development? 

I’ve been inspired by Coach Campbell lately, who has amassed a lifetime’s worth of knowledge in just a few years. In Shane Jerman’s MST Systems periodisation course, the topic of skill practice and load is addressed with Glassman-esque elegance. 

Often the argument for skill work is to perfect lightweight movement (SEE: snatching an empty barbell) with load being generally presented as being at odds with perfect practice. Conversely, the main argument for adaptation is to have a load that would drive physiological change. 

Coach Jerman offers that the optimal training zone for skill development is one that is light enough for intentional, conscious movement awareness and heavy enough to support true neural drive.

It’s the Goldilocks weight. 

If all of your “skill work” is you flipping around PVC pipes and empty bars, it’s time for some neural drive in your life. As they say, “put some weight on the bar!”