Coach Davies, you said you’d like to continue discussion on this topic, so here’s another post.
I don’t want to blame bodybuilding for all the sports world’s evils, but … in general, the type of weight training bodybuilders promote seems to have little to do with speed, balance, or general athleticism. For my karate training, I’ve gone to a program of deadlifts, kettlebell lifting, jumping rope, and bodyweight calisthenics. Since going in this direction I feel much more alive and, yes, faster. I’ve dumped the bench, curls, and a whole lot of other things I was finding useless.
Also on the topic of speed, one athlete who absolutely blew my mind this year was the Sixers’ Alan Iverson. I think he showed that in basketball speed can compensate for a height and weight deficit. In brief, he’s my new hero.