This article provides a brief overview of the physical demands of table tennis, plus recommendations of specific strength and conditioning exercises to improve table tennis performance.

Learn how to evaluate the performance model of non-traditional, freestyle sports, and subsequently design the preparation framework that will positively influence performance. In this session from the NSCA’s 2017 National Conference, Jeremy Sheppard explains how to provide an effective training environment that is embraced by the athletes, as well as the mindset of athletes who are rule makers and rule breakers, not rule followers.

This book excerpt discusses how to maximize sprint quality during training sessions.

NSCA has a network of volunteer leaders who direct NSCA’s efforts at the state and provincial level. NSCA’s Great Lakes Regional Coordinator provides oversight and training to local state and provincial directors. Members in the Great Lakes Region can connect at local and regional events as well as on Facebook to others in this area.

Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity, so this phase of sprinting is critical for changing directions as rapidly and efficiently as possible. Optimal technique for linear sprinting in the acceleration phase involves four factors that maximize stride length and frequency.

Yancy McKnight, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for football at the University of Texas, and Matt Van Dyke, Associate Director of Applied Sports Science at the University of Texas, discuss how they keep everyone on the same page with the use of data to program training, create buy-in, and prepare their athletes for the demands of the game.

Justin Roethlingshoefer, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Miami University, talks about ways to utilize global positioning systems (GPS) and heart rate technology to identify and adjust loads for in-season time periods—and keep players fit and healthy—without creating fatigue. This is a recording of a session from the NSCA’s 2016 Hockey Clinic.

One area that can have great impact on the success of a high school athletic department is the strength and conditioning program. This session from the 2015 NSCA National Conference provides insights from Coach Kevin Vanderbush’s personal experience as the strength and conditioning coach at Ben Davis High School for 31 years. This session covers the most important components of strength and conditioning at the high school level and provides both the rationale behind certain practices as well as practical tips.

The Boyd Epley Award honors individuals who exhibit historical impact, achievements, and dedication to the NSCA over the course of their career. The Board of Directors carefully deliberates to select the recipient of the Boyd Epley Award, as it is the most prestigious award a Member of the NSCA can receive.