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Archive for “Gray Cook” Tag

Youth Speed Training Exposed

Posted on: June 4th, 2009 by IYCA 3 Comments

 

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Youth Speed Training Mistakes

Everyone claims to be an ‘expert’ don’t they?

 

It’s the one title that I truly can’t stand.

 

And I say that because there are very few real experts in the industry of
fitness and sports training.

 

Gray Cook comes to mind as one of them.

 

So to does Alwyn Cosgrove, Al Vermeil and Carlo Alvarez.

 

Experts all.

 

Easy to spot on expert, too. They’re the ones who have a major track record
of success when it comes to training athletes, but are also ALWAYS on the
lookout for stuff they don’t know.

 

Lifelong learners.

 

That to me is what defines an ‘expert’.

 

The greatest expert I know in terms of youth speed training and agility training is a man that
I am 100% sure you know.

 

Lee Taft.

 

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Youth Fitness Industry Pride…

Posted on: May 5th, 2009 by IYCA 4 Comments

 

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Youth Fitness Industry

So tomorrow I’m off to Providence Rhode Island.

 

For three years now, I’ve been honored to have a place on the
esteemed ‘Speakers Panel’ for Perform Better.

 

In my mind, one of the preeminent organizations in our youth fitness industry,
it has been a sincere pleasure to share the stage with such
industry icons as Juan Carlos Santana, Mike Boyle, Gray Cook,
Alwyn Cosgrove and Al Vermeil.

 

But something is very different about this years Perform Better
tour.

 

I’m still speaking at all the events.

 

Rhode Island this month.

 

Chicago next.

 

Long Beach in July.

 

But this year, I’m traveling to each of those locations one day
early in order to present a private Level 1 Youth Fitness Specialist
certification to attendees.

 

Perform Better decided a few months ago that the IYCA and its
message to the youth fitness industry, is worth that much.

 

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Athlete Development Business Success Tips: My Training & Business Mentors

Posted on: January 14th, 2009 by IYCA 1 Comment

 

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Athlete Development Business Success

Sometimes I enjoy writing about the ‘training’ aspects of Athlete Development, youth fitness and sport development.

 

Other times I like writing about the ‘business’ angles.

 

Today, I feel inspired to talk a little bit about both.

 

Over the years, my philosophies and thoughts about training young athletes have changed
significantly.

 

These changes were the result of learning a new concept or trying a new idea.

 

I read books.

 

Watched DVD’s.

 

Listened to speakers at live conferences.

 

I continue to do so even to this day.

 

And all of this self-directed study is what has lead me to my conclusions and guided my thoughts
regarding the developmental fitness process at the core of the IYCA Principles.

 

Now, many Athlete Development industry experts have had a significant hand in shaping my viewpoints –

 

Mike Boyle
Gray Cook
Jozeph Drabik
Mel Siff
Tony Reynolds
Bill Hartman

 

 

But no one professional has played a larger role in helping me create my training philosophies
than a man I consider to be one of the greatest Coaches alive today…

 

Lee Taft.

 

When I watched Lee’s ‘Groundbreaking’ DVD back in 2004, I was literally mesmerized by what
I saw.

 

I took notes feverishly.

 

Created drills based on his concepts.

 

Implemented his ideas into the training routines of my own young athletes.

 

And quite frankly, the results staggered me.

 

I have never been introduced to concepts that made more sense or were more easy to
Coach.

 

Lee’s speed and agility work is 100% pioneering and my own personal coaching philosophies have
never been the same since.

 

Now from a business perspective, I can say virtually the same stuff about a man whom I consider
to be an absolute genius when it comes to systems creation –

 

Nick Berry.

 

Just like you, I always struggled with the fine points of understanding how to be
the ‘Trainer’ and ‘Business Person’ in my company.

 

Finding enough time to train all your clients AND run the sales, marketing, scheduling and book
keeping.

 

And I admit, believe it or not, there was a time that I almost packed it in as a professional in this
industry.

 

Seriously.

 

Back in early 2003, I was struggling so badly with time management that I didn’t think I would
ever ‘get ahead’.

 

I remember distinctly having a conversation with Sara and explaining to her that I thought the
time was right for me to get out of the athlete development industry and move on to a more secure and predictable
profession.

 

Can you believe that?

 

And truth be told, I had difficulty with this balancing act right up until the beginning of 2008
when Nick became a full partner in the IYCA.

 

From Day 1, he started revamping our corporate structure and changing our working arrangements.

 

He put systems into place that allowed me to focus on one thing at a time and maximize me
efficiency in a given day.

 

Our Membership numbers increased.

 

Our revenue increased.

 

And my own personal workload DECREASED as a result of Nick’s efforts.

 

Lee Taft and Nick Berry.

 

The two guys that have changed everything about the way I train my young athletes and
run my youth athlete business.

 

And the best part?

 

They’ll both be at my International Summit in February sharing their secrets.

 

You likely know me as a ‘key player’ in the fitness industry.

 

Well known.

 

Highly respected.

 

Wildly successful.

 

Lee and Nick had a TON to do with that.

 

If I can admit that a good amount of the success I’ve experienced has come from learning from
these two fantastic professionals, just imagine what hearing what they have to say might to do
your career.

 

Worth a trip to Louisville this February?

 

Click on the link below to register now –

 

http://www.iyca.org/2009summit

 

 

‘TIll next time,

 

Brian

 

 

Screening Young Athletes

Posted on: June 10th, 2008 by IYCA 10 Comments

Young Athletes Assessments

Gray Cook is arguably the most well-known and respected man in the fitness industry today.

His ‘Functional Movement Screen’ has literally developed a cult following the world over.

He presents seminars throughout North America, Europe and beyond.

His FMS Certification is one of the most popular in existence.

He is sought after by every major fitness and sport organization as a consultant or keynote educator.

Gray Cook is the Brad Pitt of our industry.

And not too long from now, he and I will be creating something absolutely transforming.

Here’s the summary of what we talked about –

  • Screening young athletes to decide if further assessments are necessary is an important step in reducing the irrelevant nature of corrective exercise but also in determining injury potential properly and effectively.

  • Some coaches and trainers have very instinctive ‘eyes’ when it comes to seeing movement dysfunction, but many don’t. Creating a simple but effective screen allows every trainer or coach to ascertain movement irregularities and determine follow-up action.

  • Every IYCA Member must have access to this screen – it is the building block of the work we do with kids and young athletes.

  • Once you understand how to screen, you also must be able to assess and provide the right sort of exercise stimulus necessary to evoke change and help reduce the chance of injury if required.

Long story short…

Gray and I are about to create a young athletes specific screening process and subsequent Functional Movement Screen.

Not sure yet when the roll out will be, but I can tell you that all IYCA Members will have access.

I’ll keep you posted on everything as it develops.