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Archive for “Educational System” Tag

One Shell At A Time

Posted on: June 7th, 2012 by IYCA No Comments

 

Coaching Young Athletes: One Shell At A Time

 

young athletes

 

By Dave Gleason

 

When we are educating prospective parent members about the value of long term athletic development we often use very poignant and effective analogies. This is paramount in guiding parents to a better understanding and, at times, a paradigm shift as to the optimal way to train their child(ren).

 

Once more, it is imperative that our parents as well as our athletes comprehend the inherent risk of early specialization in sport… and the 6 week “bigger, stronger, faster” quick fix.

 

A common analogy that has proved advantageous to these efforts is that of our educational system.

 

We can quickly draw a parallel between the progressive and cumulative effect of our school systems while explaining that learning physical skill sets is no different. We speak to building a solid foundation before specializing in any one subject. We offer the example of not excluding other subject matter because a child has an affinity or increased aptitude in one particular subject.

 

“If Trevor was brilliant in the subject of math in 1st grade we certainly would not skip to 7th grade algebra”.

 

As coaches we need to take heed as to how we observe our young athletes from a standpoint of skill acquisition and movement economy. More importantly we must pay close attention to each athletes well being from a humanistic perspective.

 

I offer this analogy to think about how you may become a better coach and mentor to the young athletes in your program.

 

One shell at a time.

 

When walking the beaches of the south shore in Massachusetts I have often collected sea shells. Far too easy to pick up the shell that catches my eye because of its outstanding shape, size or varied colors. The thousands of shells I have walked passed without a second thought.

 

Half buried.

 

Pale in color compared to the shells.

 

Jagged and unpleasing to look at.

 

How many shells were bypassed that were in fact the most unique and wonderful shells on the beach?

 

What have I missed as an observer and collector of shells?

 

What have we missed as coaches?

 

What kids have we looked past to see the athlete who is the “better” athlete?

 

What child needed to be picked up so we could see the true value of them?

 

As Athletic Revolution franchisees we are all on a greater mission to change the way young athletes are coached.

 

This is why we will continue to set ourselves apart from from others in our industry. THIS is why will we change lives…one athlete at a time.

 

Keep up the great work!

 

 

A Lesson on Youth Sports Injuries

Posted on: April 20th, 2009 by IYCA 10 Comments

Youth Sports Injuries Can Be Avoided

Jim Ochse is an athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. He serves as athletic trainer for the women’s Volleyball, men’s and women’s cross-country, women’s tennis, and baseball.

During the summer, Jim presents SAQ camps for athletes from 10-18 years of age in northeastern PA.

IYCA: What’s your background in youth sports and athletics? Have you worked with young athletes?

JO: I started out as a Health and Physical Education teacher for K- 6 for several years, but was disenchanted in how physical fitness was instituted in the educational system. I then became certified as an athletic trainer and have covered all aspects of youth sports for the past 22 years. I serve as a volunteer coach for soccer, basketball, and baseball for my local youth association. During the regular school year from September to May, my main responsibility is to the college athletes at DeSales University in Pennsylvania ; however, I do talks and clinics whenever possible to youth, and have a few personal training clients that I collaborate with. During the summer months I direct a number of Speed, Agility, and Quickness camps in my local area for youth from ages 10-18. I also do one day seminars on running, and other topics such as how to incorporate stability ball training to their strength programs.

IYCA: There are a lot of coaches, parents, and even trainers who treat young athletes as if they were "little adults." What I mean by that is they will take the training routine of a superstar athlete and use it as a guide when working with youngsters. Why, if at all, should we warn them against that kind of training?

JO: I see this mentality used by both parents and youth coaches, and obviously, this type of mentality is not appropriate for developing athletes. A training routine for youth should be individualized for that particular athlete. A young athlete is not mature enough physically, psychologically, or emotionally to even perform the same type of training as an adult. They do not have the base of aerobic/anaerobic conditioning that a more mature athlete has acquired, nor should they attempt a strength program that is meant or written for an adult. With their growth plate still immature, performing strength exercises for mature athletes may predispose them to unnecessary injuries. Weight training does have its place among young athletes; however, emphasis should be place on light weights, proper form and techniques, an implemented by a well qualified coach or personal trainer.

IYCA: The age old debate is "How old should an athlete be before beginning to lift weights." What’s your view on that controversial topic?

JO: I go along with the NSCA position on weight lifting. I believe that children can even be taught Olympic type weight lifting techniques, but not use extremely heavy weights. In fact, most of my teaching at this level is with either a broomstick or at most a light barbell. I even have my 8-year daughter lifting light dumbbells, and even perform modified pushups on a Swiss Ball, and performing abs curls. Physiologically youth athletes physiologically are not capable of withstanding great weights, due to their anatomical structure and rate of maturity. I use a lot of body weight exercises such as squats, lunges, and step ups. I use upper body exercises such as push-ups, chin-ups, and resistance bands, in place of weights. I want to make sure that the young athletes have the proper techniques down. When they are older, they can worry about increasing their resistance training.

IYCA: Using your ideals, could you define "functional conditioning" for us?

(more…)

Youth Fitness – Q & A

Posted on: May 22nd, 2008 by IYCA No Comments

 

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Youth Fitness Certification

The response I received from yesterday’s Youth Fitness Specialist
certification release was absolutely overwhelming.

 

And it’s really not just a matter of ‘how many’ people got on
board with the IYCA, it’s ‘how excited’ they were to become part
of my international mission.

 

Fitness and Sport Training professionals from North America,
Europe, Australia, Africa and the Far East all clamored to become
part of my ‘First 500 youth fitness specialists‘.

 

I even did a radio show interview yesterday afternoon in which
the host said to me off-air "I can really tell that the IYCA is
‘what’s happening’ right now in the fitness industry".

 

How right he was!!

 

Having said all that, I received a number of great questions
yesterday from professionals worldwide.

 

Folks seem to want a bit more information about the IYCA, our
mission and the whole concept of training adults versus kids.

 

I decided to answer the four most common questions I received in
an email to you so that you could have the answers for yourself.

 

Here they are…

 

————–

Q – If I have no background in training kids, will the IYCA
be a good place to start?

 

 

A – 100% YES! We have taken a lot of time and placed a lot of
care in creating our educational system so that it works for both
brand new Trainers as well as seasoned veterans.

 

The ‘Level 1 – Youth Fitness Specialist’ certification is the
first step in a 4-step process of advanced and progressive
education.

 

The Level 1 course material is taught by myself and Dr. Kwame
Brown and covers the following topics:

 

:: Motor Skill Development (birth through adolescents)

:: Program Design for clients and athletes 6 – 18 years

:: Group Training – programming, coaching and implementation

:: Coaching Science – how to communicate and teach any child

:: Practical Application – what exercises are best per age group

 

Although advanced in theory and practice, the material is taught
in an extraordinarily fun, upbeat and stimulating manner so as to
appeal to all degrees of Fitness Professionals.

 

Here’s what Fitness Pro Donovan Owens has to say about our
course material –

 

"The content contained in the IYCA course materials provides the
most technical, practical and applicable education that I have
EVER experienced with any other program"

 

I think that says it all!

 

Check out my ‘Level 1 – Youth Fitness Specialist’ certification
now by clicking on the link below –

 

Youth Fitness Specialist Information – Click Here

 

————–

Q – I am already certified through another organization, why
would I want to become certified through the IYCA?

 

 

A – Great question!

 

Here’s the reality…

 

… No other certification in existence today prepares you to
work with young athletes and youth fitness participants the way
we do.

 

We do not offer education or certifications in ‘elite athlete
training’, ‘older adult fitness’ or ‘nutrition and weight
management’.

 

YOUTH is all we do… it’s what we know and where our passion is.

 

Would you go to a Chiropractor if you needed heart surgery?

 

Would you go to the Dentist for an annual physical?

 

If you want the best, want to be the best and want be prepared
for the largest market surge this industry has ever seen, you
simply MUST be educated and credentialed by the organization that
has already been recognized as the ‘Gold Standard’ for youths.

 

Check out what former Men’s Health Fitness Editor Scott Quill
has to say about the IYCA and our ‘Gold Standard’ reputation –

 

"The IYCA’s advice is smart and practical and their programs
are developed with a real passion for helping coaches and kids
succeed. The IYCA is changing the way we train our youth"

 

Check out my ‘Level 1 – Youth Fitness Specialist’ certification
now by clicking on the link below –

 

Click Here Now

 

————–

Q – Why would I want to train kids instead of adults?

 

 

A – Easy… Because that’s where the market is going.

 

Recognizing market trends is an essential part of building and
growing a strong and prosperous career.

 

If you jump on board a moving train too late, bad things happen!

 

The youth demographic has surged into one of the largest and
most opportunity-rich niches in the entire Fitness and Sport
Training industry.

 

It has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the
fastest growing markets in the world and received attention from
mainstream media as well.

 

That’s why I’ve appeared in notable publications like Newsweek
and the New York Times and why the IYCA is being endorsed by
large media outlets including ESPN.

 

Have a look at what ESPN writer Tom Farrey has to say on the
matter –

 

"Brian Grasso is a voice of reason and a beacon of hope for
anyone who wants kids to develop fitness patterns for life, and
for athletes to achieve their full potential"

 

The youth market is by far and away the industry’s ‘next big
thing’ and by not learning how to work with kids properly, you
are cutting yourself out of a market that grosses into the
BILLIONS of revenue each year.

 

Check out my ‘Level 1 – Youth Fitness Specialist’ certification
now by clicking on the link below –

 

‘First 500’ – Become a Youth Fitness Specialist

 

————–

Q – I would love to work with kids, but keep hearing about how
regimented training is bad for children. Is this true?

 

 

A – This is one of the silliest ‘myths’ on the planet today.

 

Is the regimented aspect of school bad for kids?

 

You could argue that kids should be left on their own and
experience education through an informal way that best suits
their needs.

 

And you’d be wrong if you argued that!

 

Working with kids in a fitness setting is positively essential.

 

The days when kids used to just go out and play on their own
are all but gone.

 

And the widespread incidence of youth obesity is proof of that.

 

Fitness for kids is not just ‘fitness’…

 

… It’s DEVELOPMENTAL FITNESS.

 

It involves teaching aspects of movement, force production and
absorption, social interaction and cooperation.

 

It is a science unto itself and must be infused into the lives
of young children if they have any hope of succeeding in sports
or growing up into healthy and functionally fit adults.

The IYCA motto on this issue is simple –

 

M.O.L.D

 

M = Movement must dominate

O = Open yourself up to communication variances

L = Learning styles change per child

D = Develop… Don’t train

 

These four key steps are at the core of what we teach you in our
‘Level 1 – Youth Fitness Specialist’ certification.

 

Here’s what Kelli Calebrese, international fitness authority and
Editor-in-Chief of Personal Fitness Professional magazine, says –

 

"I know so many Trainers who want to work with kids but don’t
really know how. Brian and the IYCA have a formula that works
and takes away all the guesswork for those professionals who
aspire to change the health and improve the performance of
today’s youth"

 

————–

 

Those are the most common questions I received yesterday.

 

I hope I’ve clarified some things for you.

 

If you want to check out what the IYCA offers and jump on board
with our international mission, just click on the link below –

 

Join the Revolution – Click Here Now

 

 

‘Till next time,

 

Brian