This weekend I had a chance to take a break from coaching and be a fan. My 9 year-old niece's team played in their very first soccer tournament. As a fan, I got to let everyone else do the work. I sat in my chair, relaxed, and generally enjoyed watching the girls diligently run around... Continue Reading →
Article after article claims to have the best exercise for... fill in your favorite activity. In bold letters at the top will be: "The 5 BEST Exercises for Making Your Ass So Big You Cannot Shop for Underwear In Normal Stores." or "Do this High Intensity Cardio Weight Blast Insanity 5 Times a Week for... Continue Reading →
Mark is 13 years old, shy, but full of energy. He plays baseball for the area's "top club" and his coach says he is one of the most natural athletes he has worked with. All Mark needs to do is play 9 to 10 months out of the year, work with a private hitting coach... Continue Reading →
I emphasize the little victories with things the kids can control. Once that goal has been accomplished we celebrate it like they just won the Superbowl and I immediately give them a new goal. To me accomplishing a tangible goal within a kid's control is infinitely more exciting and productive than winning the Superbowl. The... Continue Reading →
Most things are outside an athlete’s control. Many, if not most, young athletes are not even old enough to drive, so they cannot even control whether they arrive for workouts on time. However, they CAN control how they react to something outside their control, such as their mom dropping them off late. An athlete could... Continue Reading →
As part of the positive environment for the athlete, I provide a set of clear, specific instructions and goals. The athletes should never be unsure or confused about what I expect. It’s common for a coach to say something like “Don’t put too much weight on the bar” or “You need to try harder next... Continue Reading →
My youth athletic training-room culture promotes free choices and personal responsibility for the athletes by giving them opportunities for guided discovery. While it is important to know and follow the specific instructions I give in circumstances where they are learning new and proper exercise form, and I would never leave them in a situation that... Continue Reading →
This off-season I got to introduce a group of @stvrainfc young girls to fitness training. We trained for an hour at a time, once a week. It was less about building strength or weight lifting and more about body control, techniques and proper weight-room etiquette. Although occasionally I did catch them flexing in the mirror! ... Continue Reading →
I work hard to create a youth sports performance culture that instills confidence in the athletes. Confidence comes from success – not just winning but achieving incremental goals. This is more likely and more frequent when focusing on outcomes the athletes can control. A kid cannot control how much they play. Playing time might go... Continue Reading →
When it comes to effective youth athletic training, leading-edge science and experienced coaches are necessary, but they’re not sufficient unless the culture of the environment promotes a positive attitude and inspire the athlete to hard work and dedication. One key feature of that culture is mutual respect. During sports performance training I expect a high... Continue Reading →
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