absolute bullshit, their is absolutely a best style for sports. NBA players don't train like NFL players. in the NFL quarterbacks don't train like linemen...

While the "shock" method and other plyometric exercises do increase explosiveness they are much more effective with a strength base. In fact from what I understand the recommendations for strength was a 2x body weight back squat before executing the depth jump was not for safety purposes but rather performance. They function MUCH better for someone that is strong than someone weaker. BTW weight training CAN make you more explosive. Tell this to most people that have acquired a high level of max strength(AND has used this as a FOUNDATION) and went on to use exercises for explosiveness such as Olympic lifting derivatives and/or jump, sprint and/or plyometric drills.This strength BASE made a very significant difference. Jerks, snatches, and cleans and squats (for that matter) can make anyone more explosive. They just do not have the magnitude of effect that the depth jump and other plyometric exercises have. Then again the body adapts to ALL stimuli and leaving out weight training results in less than an optimal result. This is not to say that weight training can't make you slower it can. How much and when and other activities included will determine the result from weight training and anything sort of sport training.

Did you not extol the methods of Verkhoshansky? He was regarded as an "academic" in the Soviet Union although he did coach for a period. Nevertheless at least for weightlifters and field athletes and others weight training as a base was a necessity, not an option. I do know in sprinting there was one East German female sprinter who maintained her ABSOLUTE STRENGTH thru depth jumps and other plyometric drills with no formal weight training. In fact, female GDR sprinters(according to Charlie Francis) did not lift weights! The closest thing to weight training was dragging a tire behind them while sprinting. It has been shown (I will bring up the studies if you want) that show that plyometrics are more effective when "complexed" WITH weight training than WITHOUT.

***** As mentioned a hi result in the back squat(even when performed at a medium or rythmic tempo) as a foundation made plyometrics much more effective. In addition as far as the Soviet's were concerned plyometric drills (depth jumps) could only be performed 3 or 4 mesocyles (monthly) in a year with equal time off.

***** Just wanted to add one thing. I was a client of Dr. Michael Yessis in the 80's. The first time i came to his house for a session he showed me a newspaper article about Todd Marinovich and that he was training him (at that time). He ranted and raved about what "special exercises" could do.

+Brandon Green Yeah, it sounds plausible that you need to have a good maximum strength potential (strong muscles) from exterior resistance training to optimize motor unit recruitment. I'm very new to this though and I wonder how using the shock effect of involuntary contractions won't make an athlete prone to be fast only when confronted with an opposite load to which he'll react. A boxer for instance needs to be able to pop of a jab with no revealing prior movement, right?