I've just joined this site because one of my buddies said he got some good advice here. Basically, im an 18 yr old football player and I want the supplement that will work the BEST. I just want to be as big and strong as possible and want to get that done by any means necessary. Honestly with the thousands of products out there I dont know what to look for. I see theres growth hormones on here and that looks intriguing I just honestly don't know where to start. I've taken whey protein before but just basics like that nothing else. PLEASE give me some info/advice, it would be much appreciated.
This is not what you are going to what to hear, but I am going to say it any way:
1. Food- first off- get your caloric intake up- you can gain very quickly at your age- get 500-1000 Kcals over maintenance per day. You play D-line- start eating- a buddy of mine played DT in the NFL for 9 years- he is 6'7" 325
2. Balance, body control, and speed- these are the three most important things in football, period. No supplement will give you these, but hard work will. Simply learning how to leverage bigger guys gives you an immediate strength advantage- once you get your pads lower than theirs, it doesn't really matter how strong they are. Work on plylos, rope drills, leverage drills (sled, etc.), and learn how to sprint and control speed- learn how chase and not hesitate, and learn how to always be balanced and in position.
I think a lot of guys are misled when they think bigger necessarily equates to better in any sport. Taller generally equates to better in football, baseball, and basketball, but extra bulk is pretty useless in many sports, b/c it does not necessarily equate to extra strength. While you have to be a certain size to play certain positions in football, a coach would rather have someone in that same position 10-15 lbs. undersized who is an athlete, rather than someone who is bulked up, clumsy and slow......