Youth Training Systems   (1) Create An Ascension System   Prior to my arrival, if you watched the Novice Teams (8 – 11 years old) go through their conditioning regime and then you watched the Senior Team (16 – 18) right after, you’d have trouble distinguishing the difference.   Exercise Selection.   Volume.   Coaching [...] read more

Young Athletes & Coordination Series Here is the third and final portion of ‘Young Athletes & Coordination’:   (3) Teenage Athletes Are ‘Too Old’   Now, while there is truth to the matter that many of the sensitive periods for coordination development lay during the preadolescent phase of life, it would be shortsighted to suggest [...] read more

Young Athletes & Coordination Series   Part 2: Coordination – Can You Teach Young Athletes?   The answer, in short, is yes.   Coordination ability is not unlike any other biomotor – proficiencies in strength, speed, agility and even cardiovascular capacity (through mechanical intervention) can be taught, and at any age.   The interesting caveat [...] read more

Young Athletes Coordination Series In this 3-part article, I will discuss the role and significance of ‘Coordination Training’ as it relates to both preadolescent and high school athletes:   The myths and falsehoods associated with young athletes Coordination Training are plenty.  I’ll outline the ‘Top 3’ here:   Coordination is a singular element that is [...] read more

It is customary to see young athletes being taught and drilled on how to run as fast as possible in a straight line.   Coaches spend hours teaching the mechanics of ‘linear speed’.  Arm drive, hip drive, ankle push, forward lean – all the usual suspects.  Whether on a high speed treadmill, gymnasium floor or [...] read more

‘Intelligence’.   Defined by the dictionary as -   “The capacity for learning, understanding and aptitude for grasping relationships”   That sets the stage very nicely for the meaning of this IYCA-based term.   What about ‘Athletic’?   It’s defined as such -   “Involving the use of physical skills or capabilities”   String those [...] read more