Story Time A teacher began class with a bottle on the desk. Also on...
Pat Basil@pbasilstrength
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Oct 31, 2025
~2 min read
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1
Story Time
A teacher began class with a bottle on the desk.
Also on the desk were some big rocks, medium rocks, gravel and sand.
The teacher asked the class:
"Do you think all of this will fit in the bottle?"
They all shook their head No.
The teacher poured all the sand into the bottle which filled up a good amount.
Then added the gravel filling up most of the rest.
After that only a few medium rocks fit.
Starting with the small objects didn't work to no one's surprise.
"Let's try the other way" the teacher said.
The big rocks went into the bottle taking a decent amount of space.
Then the medium rocks taking up most of the rest.
This is where it got interesting.
The small rocks bounced and the larger ones but fell to the open gaps of space.
Finally the sand went in and filled up the rest of the open space.
They all fit.
The bottle was filled with all the objects.
"This is metaphor for life" the teacher explained.
"The big rocks are the mot important things in life like your family, health, and well being.
The rest are less and less important.
If you prioritize the small rocks in life, you'll leave no room what's important. If you prioritize the big rocks, the most important aspects of life, the rest falls into place".
So how does this apply to S&C?
In a world of the latest and greatest, focus on the big rocks.
The proven fundamentals that have stood the test of time.
Improve strength and movement quality and improve general athletic movements like jumps, throws, and sprints all in multiple directions.
The shiny new fad of the week will always come and go.
Isometric this, extensive that, fascial sling system driven whatever.
Those all sound cool right?
I didn't hear about any of it 5 years ago and I probably won't 5 years from now.
None of it is bad.
They're all just small rocks that fade in and out of popularity.
Try some small rocks out here and there but don't bend over backwards for them.
Prioritize your big rocks in training and the rest falls into place.
A teacher began class with a bottle on the desk.
Also on the desk were some big rocks, medium rocks, gravel and sand.
The teacher asked the class:
"Do you think all of this will fit in the bottle?"
They all shook their head No.
The teacher poured all the sand into the bottle which filled up a good amount.
Then added the gravel filling up most of the rest.
After that only a few medium rocks fit.
Starting with the small objects didn't work to no one's surprise.
"Let's try the other way" the teacher said.
The big rocks went into the bottle taking a decent amount of space.
Then the medium rocks taking up most of the rest.
This is where it got interesting.
The small rocks bounced and the larger ones but fell to the open gaps of space.
Finally the sand went in and filled up the rest of the open space.
They all fit.
The bottle was filled with all the objects.
"This is metaphor for life" the teacher explained.
"The big rocks are the mot important things in life like your family, health, and well being.
The rest are less and less important.
If you prioritize the small rocks in life, you'll leave no room what's important. If you prioritize the big rocks, the most important aspects of life, the rest falls into place".
So how does this apply to S&C?
In a world of the latest and greatest, focus on the big rocks.
The proven fundamentals that have stood the test of time.
Improve strength and movement quality and improve general athletic movements like jumps, throws, and sprints all in multiple directions.
The shiny new fad of the week will always come and go.
Isometric this, extensive that, fascial sling system driven whatever.
Those all sound cool right?
I didn't hear about any of it 5 years ago and I probably won't 5 years from now.
None of it is bad.
They're all just small rocks that fade in and out of popularity.
Try some small rocks out here and there but don't bend over backwards for them.
Prioritize your big rocks in training and the rest falls into place.
