It is incumbent on all youth coaches to provide youth with the very best opportunities to succeed and develop to the best of their potential. The 10 pillars of long-term athletic development and recommendations provide coaches with the information they need to help all youth reach their potential.
CoachesProgram designOrganization and Administrationguidelines for youth strength trainingyouth traininglong-term athletic developmentLTAD
Strength and conditioning professionals should consider mental skills training when creating a training program to maximize performance. Developing mental skills is a very long and challenging process; however, the benefits are worth it. Utilizing these skills will put the athlete in a position to succeed in sport, as well as life.
Although most resources on program design review the foundational scientific principles of training, they often fail to provide practical strategies that strength and conditioning professionals need in order to apply these principles successfully. To help bridge the gap between science and application, this article provides a simple and practical, step-by-step system for applying the scientific principles of training into the program design process.
Personal trainersExercise ScienceProgram designstrength and conditioningexercise sciencepersonal trainingprogram design
This article examines ways that personal trainers can take steps in order to effectively reduce the risk of clients suffering a training-related injury.
Personal trainersExercise TechniqueProgram designpersonal traininginjury reductioninjury prevention
The “five Ss” of trainability and performance are critical periods of development that all youth strength and conditioning coaches should consider when creating a training program. Coaches should take advantage of each window to maximize a youth athlete’s potential and help ensure a long athletic career.
CoachesProgram designLTADyouth training guidelinesyouth athletic training
Proper form and biomechanical execution of the squat has been a long-debated subject in the fitness and sports performance industries. The following article describes a method to help determine an individual’s preferred squatting foot position, setup, and depth based on their unique hip anthropometrics for smarter, safer, and more optimized squatting.
Personal trainersTSAC FacilitatorsCoachesExercise ScienceExercise TechniqueProgram designTesting and EvaluationSquatSquat PositionBio-mechanicsSquat stance
Youth practitioners need to be aware of the competing demands on young athletes’ lives in order to help them effectively balance these demands. Wellness provides a reference point that can be used to better understand the competing demands placed on youngsters by identifying the six dimensions of wellness.
CoachesExercise ScienceProgram designwellnessstrength and conditioningyouth traininghs-coaching
Kayleigh Fournier, now Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning at Dartmouth College, talks to the former NSCA Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Scott Caulfield, about her journey from unpaid intern to head strength coach. Topics under discussion include work ethic as a young professional getting into the field, programming for unconventional sports, and diversifying your network of support.
Connect with Kayleigh through email: kayleigh.fournier@dartmouth.edu