Resources for High School Athletic Directors and Administrators who are interested in adding a strength and conditioning position to their school or improving their existing strength and conditioning program. Includes tools for creating a position and evaluating your existing program, as well as information for parents.
This article applies LTAD principles to guide the process of generating an athletic profile (part 1) and sample program design (part 2) for a middle school athlete and a high school athlete.
CoachesProgram designLTADYouth AthleteYouth Training GuidelinesAthletic Developmenths-coaching
This article describes the long-term athletic development programming pillars and suggests practical applications for strength and conditioning practitioners.
As the final article of the three-part series on long-term athletic development (LTAD), this article will focus on enhancing physical fitness and participation in LTAD programs that promote physical fitness and physiological wellbeing, regardless of age, ability, and aspirations.
The “coach’s dozen” is a collection of 12 principles that will help youth coaches, physical education teachers, and pediatric exercise specialists maintain inclusive, sustainable, and enjoyable participation in exercise and sport.
CoachesProgram designYouth AthleteYouth TrainingLTADLong term athletic Developmenths-coachinginfographics
Strength and conditioning coaches can safely and effectively integrate strongman training into youth strength and conditioning programs by following established programming guidelines and available research recommendations.
CoachesExercise TechniqueProgram designLTADstrength and conditioning exercisestrength and conditioningyouth strength trainingstrongman training
The purpose of this article is to discuss the different opinions regarding the validity of early sport specialization as opposed to diversification, specifically the effect these two methods have on injuries, motor development, skill acquisition, and social and psychological aspects.
CoachesProgram designPersonal Trainerslong-term athletic developmentYouth training guidelinesNSCA Coach
The top concern of strength coaches should always be athlete safety. For this reason, the NSCA has compiled a list of resources to raise the standard of care when working as a strength coach at any level. By reading and sharing these examples of standards and guidelines, policies and procedures, position statements on vital topics, mental health best practices, and more, strength coaches can push to increase the safety of athletes around the world.
As the second of a three part series, this article will focus on the Practitioner Pillars of LTAD, including relevant monitoring and assessment tools, as well as systematical progressions and individualized training programs for successful long-term physical development.
CoachesExercise ScienceExercise TechniqueProgram designTesting and EvaluationProfessional DevelopmentLTADLoad MonitoringMovement CompetencyPubertyRPEhs-coaching
Approximately 2 million youth from 6 - 12 years of age participate in football every year. This article discusses the importance of long-term athletic development (LTAD) for youth football athletes and the significance of a player development pathway for long-term success and longevity in the sport.
CoachesExercise ScienceProgram designOrganization and Administrationhs-coachingLTADLong Term Athletic DevelopmentYouth Football