Strength and Conditioning, Long Term Athletic Development, Physical Education Youth Football Coach,
Clinton High,
Bridgton Academy,
Worcester State Univ.
Parents of young athletes:
You're being sold a bill of goodsโฆ
Early specializationโฆ
It's a fear campaignโฆ
Its a billion dollar dumpster fire saying:
To become a great athlete you must:
Specialize earlyโฆ
Train year-roundโฆ
Compete oftenโฆ
If you donโt your child is going
Kids don't need to grind...
Kids don't need to condition until they puke...
Kids don't need to be pushed...
Kids don't need to be punished with exercise...
Kids don't need mental toughness training...
Kids don't need 40 times...
Kids don't need technique training...
Kids don't
This is my 10 year son.
Its football season so I'm going to call him a quarterback.
In November he'll be a point guard
And in March he'll be a catcher.
There is no place for early specialization at his age.
When the season is over we move on.
He loves sports and coming to
Obstacles to athleticism:
School days seated
Little P.E.
No play
Video games
Specializing in one sport
Compete more than develop
Poor nutrition
Winter weather
What to do:
P.E. approach
Fundamental movement
Mobility
Movement Games
Strength dev.
#LTAD#physed
CAUTION
Kids at play:
do not be alarmed:
you may hear loud noises, laughter, shrieks, shouts and squeals.
You may see big smiles, sweaty hair and red faces working hard at play.
Side effects include: good mood, strong heart and muscles, better grades and quality sleep...
#LTAD
Kids don't need exercise progressions...๐คฆโโ๏ธ
They don't need chin up progressions...
They don't need split squat progressions...
They don't need pushup progressions...
They don't need squat progressions...
They need to develop coordination...
They need to develop balance...
They
Parents and coaches of youth athletes...
Before worrying about sport specific lessons, a speed training coach or an organized strength and conditioning program take a quick assessment and figure out...can my young athlete do these things:
Can you skip in a straight line and in
Parents lets start at the beginning Before they sign up for sports...
1. Teach them how to ride a bike
2. Teach them how to swim
3. Team them how to pump on a swing.
4. Teach them to throw
5. Teach them to catch
We can probably add hop scotch, jump rope and kick a ball. #LTAD
Youth sports specialization road to nowhere:
$400 for a bat
$200 for sneakers
$2500 for club team
$$$$$ to travel to tourneys
But no investment into becoming faster, stronger, or more athletic...