BFS Manual
BFS Manual
BFS Manual
Overcoming Plateaus
The BFS Set-Rep System virtually eliminates plateaus. You should always be in a position of making progress. No other program can do this. If you have been doing 3 sets of 10 reps, I set of 15 or 5 sets of 5, you no doubt reach a plateau very quick
ly. You must alternate lifts, percentages of maximums, and sets and reps if you want to reach your full potential. Even with
more complex systems such as cycle workouts, you will still eventually hit a plateau. The BFS system allows you to alternate
your lifts, sets and reps in such a way that a specific workout is repeated only every fifth week. This system has two simple
rules: First, establish your records and second, break those records. If you follow this system exactly, you will never reach a
plateau.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Dot Drill
Dot Drill
Dot Drill
Dot Drill
Dot Drill
Box Squat*
Sprint Work
Power Clean
Sprint Work
Parallel Squat
Towel Bench*
Plyometricst
Hex Bar
Deadlifttt
Plyometricst
Bench Press
Flexibility**
Flexibility
Flexibility**
Flexibility
Flexibility**
Auxiliary Lifts
Technique
Auxiliary Lifts
Technique
Auxiliary Lifts
or variation
* Examples of acceptable Squat Variations: Front Squals or Otic-Legged Squats. Bench Variations: Close Grips, Wide Grips or Inclines.
Detailed instruction of the BFS I -2-3^ Flexibility Program and the BFS Dot Drill is available on video,
t
The effect of Plyometrics can be measured by testing the Vertical Jump and Standing Long Jump.
ft We recommend using the Hex Bar Stn Dead Lifts with all sports. You can do the BFS Spotted Deadlift as illustrated on page 10 as needed for n
vation. If a Hex Bar is not available, you would do the BFS Spotted Deadlift each week.
2nd Workout
Parallel Squat
Box Squat
Bench Press
Towel Bench
Power Clean
Flexibility**
Flexibility
Auxiliary Lifts
Technique
Set-Rep Logbook
MONDAY
BOX SQUATS: First set, select between 45 and 145 pounds for 3 reps. Now for the second set, you may either go up in
poundage, stay the same or go down. Let's say you do 175 pounds for the second set and 205 for the third set. Important
Concept: On the final set, you should do 3 or more reps; preferably 10 reps, if you can, for the first workout. Don't worry
if this first workout seems too easy and you aren't fired. You want to make sure the spotting and lifting techniques are
learned. Please Note: BFS Readiness Program graduates will automatically know a good starting weight with each BFS
Core Lift.
TOWEL BENCH: Since most athletes know their max on the bench, take 70 percent of your max for your first set. For
example, if your max is 200 pounds, begin with 140 pounds for 3 reps on your first set. If you've never done benches
before, use 70 percent of your bodyweight or 105 pounds, whichever is the least. If this is loo much weight for 3 reps,
use 60 percent or even 50 percent of your bodyweight. For your 2nd set, you may go up, stay the same or go down in
poundage. Do 3 or more reps on this final set, but on this first workout, try to select a weight you can do 10 times.
EXAMPLE OF ESTABLISHING
EXAMPLE OF ESTABLISHING
SET RECORDS
REP RECORDS
BOX SQUAT
TOWEL BENCH
WEDNESDAY
POWER CLEAN: Do the 3 x 3 workout. Use 70 percent of your m rimum. If you've never cleaned before, use 50
percent of your bodyweight or 95 pounds, whichever is the least. Usi the same procedure for ihc second and third set as
Monday's workout and record your efforts as outlined on the previou page. On the final set you should do 3 or more reps.
up to 5 reps. Try to get 5 reps in this first week.
HEX BAR DEADLIFT: Do the 3 x 3 workout. Start with 145 pounds or your bodyweight, w
the same procedure and again record your efforts. Again, on the final set you should do 3 or n
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FRIDAY
BENCH PRESS: Do the 3 x 3 workout. Use the same poundage and procedure as in Monday's Towel Bench workout.
PARALLEL SQUAT: Do the 3 x 3 workout and use the same procedure as Monday's Box Squat workout.
Maxing Out
The third week (5-4-3-2-1) is a perfect time to max out on a one-rep max just by following the regular routine, or
once every 3 months you could go 5-3-1 to prevent fatigue at the last set. Another way is to take 10 to 20 pounds off
your 5^1-3-2 rep maxes and then do several singles on the way to a big one-rep max.
TOWEL BENCH
REP RECORDS
REP RECORDS
(This athlete did 6 ] K"""ly"l""'!""s'areps on the last set As you get bigger, you ill
I
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J get stronger.
Set-Rep Lagbaah
The Seventh Week: Break your 5-4-3-2-1 Set Record and as many Rep Records as you can.
The Eight Week: Break your 10-8-6 or 4-4-2 Set Record and as many Rep Records as you can.
Now keep rotating your workouts in this 4-week cycle. You can expect to break 8 or more records per week or 400 per
year for as long as you want. There are 66 possible records to break. Each of the 6 core lifts has 4 Set Records. That's 24
possible Set Records. The Bench Press, Towel Bench, Squat and Box Squat each have 8 Rep Records, while the Hex Bar
Deadlift and the Clean each have 5 Rep Records. That's a total of 42 possible Rep Records. That's why it is easy to break
so many records. Remember we are not concerned with only breaking a 1-rep max, but all kinds of Rep Records. We
know, for example, if we break a 3-Rcp Record that our max will also soon go up. There are even 11 more auxiliary and
performance records you can break. What would happen if you broke 8 personal records per week for one year? It kind
of boggles the mind doesn't it? The sky is the limit!!
Helpful Hints
1. Or More means the number of reps up to 10 on the Bench, Towel Bench, Squat and Box Squat, and up to 5 reps on the
Clean and Hex Bar.
2. One high school had a bell at each station. When an athlete was going fora record, the bell was rung. It really seems
to help the intensity.
3. Many coaches are using teachers' aides to assist the athletes in recording.
4. Changing the sequence of the lifts can also help to overcome a plateau (Do the Bench first, not Squat, for example.)
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Warm-Up With
0-1 set
1-2 sets
2-3 sets
3-4 sets
4-5 sets
Examples:
1 , 3 x 3 with 275 pounds (warm-up with 195 & 235)
2 , 5 x 5 with 330 pounds (warm-up with 235 & 295)
3. 5-4-3-2-1 with 450 pounds (warm-up with 235 & 325 & 415)
Missing a Rep
Sometimes you may miss a rep. For example, you're trying to do 3 x 3 with 275, and on the last set you can only do 2 reps.
You have two options:
1. Rest and try again wilh the same or lighter weight.
2, Penalize yourself 5 pounds per iOO-pounds on the bar. For example, in the above situation you're penalized 10 pounds
so add 275 + 275 + 265 for your total. If you're lifting in the 500-pound range, your penalty would be 25 pounds for mis;
ing 1 rep and 50 pounds for missing 2 reps.
Range
100-195
200-295
300-395
Penalty
5 pounds
10 pounds
15 pounds
etc.
etc.
Adjusting
Auxiliary Lifts
Generally, we recommend that you choose about five auxiliary exercise
specific information. *Generally do 2 se!s of 10 reps.
*F,xceptions: Hang Cleans, Power Snatches and Jerk Presses -On tl
Set-Rep Logbaoh
Pr PERFORMANCE RECORDS
Performance Records are kept on page 24. These include the Vertical Jump, the Standing I_ong Jump, the 20- and 40-Yard
Sprint, the Sit and Reach test and the famous BFS Dot Drill, shown below in section 5.
All Performance Records should be tested once or twice a month. Testing this often is important. You need to know that yot
strength gains are producing performance results. When you have concrete proof that you are getting quicker and faster and
arc jumping higher, you will be more r i o M t i \ e ihan ever aboui ac^ii:n^ii-h:r.^ \ o u r team und i n d i v i d u a l iioals
Each athlete should M.-I iv-u goals. The hrsi goal i> in do it six times per week and the second goal should be to increase
speed. In The BFS Dot Drill Video ex-Utah Jazz Center (71 4" 300 pounds) Mark Eaton does the Dot Dri I! in 60 secon.
after a weight training session.
Five dots are placed on the floor. It works best if a 5" round dot is painted on the floor. Some coacrei pai
larger groups. Athletes at home can use anything approved by their parents to mark their dots. BFS sells a
has a great non-slip surface w i t h integrated dots, a super surface for doing the BFS Dot Drill,
ations for
Pad that
There are five separate dot drills; each drill is done a total of six times.
Note: You will be facing the same direction on all of the drills except the Turn Around Drill.
UP AND BACK
A. Start with your left foot on A and your right foot on B .
B. Now jump quickly to C with both feet corning together.
C. Then jump and split feet to D and H.
D. Come back the same way jumping backward.
E. Repeat 5 more times.
RIGHT FOOT
A. Your feet from up-and-back should end on Dots A and B .
B. Now jump to dot C with only your right foot.
C. Now jump in order on your right foot to Dots D , E , C , A and B.
D. Repeat 5 more dines.
0,
LEFT FOOT
A. You will end the right foot drill with your right foot on Dot B.
B. Now jump to dot C and land on your left foot.
C. Now jump on your left foot to Dots D, E, C,A and B.
D. Repeat 5 more times.
BOTH FEET
A. You will end the left foot drill on Dot B.
B. Now jump to Dot C with both feet.
C. Now jump with both feet together to Dots D, B , C , A a n d B .
D. Repeat 5 more times.
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TURN AROUND
A. You will end the Both Feet Drill with both feet on Dot B. Now jump to Dot C with both feet.
B. Now jump to dots D and E, with your left foot landing on E and your righ! foot landing on D.
C. Now quickly jump 180 clockwise so your left foot is now on D and your right foot is on E.
D. nuw jump tu C wiililAiili ltd unu iliui lu A u i u i D witti Uiu lull tuut miming un D mm LIB; ngjii luot UHA.
E. Now do a counterclockwis !80 spin, with your left foot landing on A and your right foot landing on B.
F. Repeat 5 more times.
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ONE ON THE
BENCH
Hamstring and Back Stretch:
Keep leg locked at knee and toes
vertical. Switch to the other leg
after 30 seconds.
Abdominal Stretch;
Lay fiat on the floor,
put hands on the floor,
shoulder-width apart,
extend elbows, creating an arch in the
back. Relax.
Latissimus Stretch:
Cross your hands and raise your
arms above your head and as far
back as possible.
Adductor Stretch:
With feet as far apart as possible, grab ankles or feet
and pull the torso
slowly toward
the floor. If
you can't
Pectoral Stretch:
Cross your hands behind your
back, raise your arms up and back
as far as possible. Stand tall.
THREE
ON THE WALL
Calf Stretch:
With hands on the wall for balance, move hips forward and push
back heel down. Keep leg straight.
Switch after 30 seconds.
Achilles Stretch:
Same as Calf Stretch but slightly
bend knee, keep heel 1" off the
ground and squat down, increasing
load on Achilles tendon.
Quadriceps Stretch:
Take one hand off the wall, and
grab foot. Pull leg straight up and
away from buttocks. Knee should
be at a 90" angle.
Groin Stretch:
Sit with bottom of feet
together, grab feet or
ankles, pull in and press
down with elbows on
the thighs toward the
floor.
Gluteus Maximus
Stretch:
Twist torso with
opposite ami. Press
knee firmly with arm,
forcing the knee to the
other side of the lower leg,
then switch after 30 second:
Hip Flexor Stretch:
Place front foot two feet in
front of knee, place hand;
knee and force hips forw;
and down. Spread the
chest -- eyes straight
ahead. Make sure the
fro t low - kg
pendicular.
Set-Rep Logbook
Towel Bench or
Padded Bench:
The top recommended
Bench Variation Core
Lift, especially for
in-season workouts.
Helps prevent Bench
Press Shoulder and
upper-body strains
while increasing Bench
Press strength. Let the
bar sink into the pad
slightly before pressing up.
upward in a vertical
path. ing up.
Do some shoulder
shrugs for the traps
after finishing the
regular set. Because
the weight is perfectlybalanced through the
lifter's center of gravity, only a straight up
and down movement
is required. Do not
do revolving shoulder
shrugs. Continue to
keep your eyes on
target'
Doing a regular
Deadlift with a spot
is a safer alternative,
especially on max lifts
when a Hex Bar is not
available. The spotter
places one hand on the
lower back, places the
crook of his elbow of
the other arm in front
of the lifter's front
shoulder and then
pulls back and up to
get bar into a center
alignment.
z DC:
Lifts
> priority Auxiliary exercise.
Improves speed arid
jumping. Advanced
lifters: use no more
than 40 percent of
your Parallel Squat
Max. Beginners:
use 45 to 95 pounds.
Think of this as a
stretching exercise
for speed improvement. Keep the knees
locked. Go slow and
cor.iro'.kd.
Box Squat:
A top priority BFS
Squat Variation to be
used as a Core Lift.
Do once a week with
the Parallel Squat.
Always sit down
unaei ccmuoi wiin a
locked in lower back.
Rock back slightly,
then surge forward
and up on toes.
Front Squat:
Also atop priority
BFS Squat Variation.
Develops balance and
particularly the lower
inside portion of the
quadriceps. Do once a
Id
Set-Rep Logbook
Wednesday
Fridav
Neck
Leg Curl
Lat Pulls
Heavy Dips
Neck
Leg Curl
Leg Extension
Incline Press
Leg Extension
Shoulder Press
Lunges
Straight Leg D. L.
BALANCE DRILLS
Can be done with the
power snatch .
PUSH PRESS
Many just do either
the jerk press or the
iF.RK PRESS
P Sh pteSS However
"
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yo can do both or
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