To be at the top of your game, in any sport,
Our body needs to be able to respond to the demands placed upon it.
Different sports require different adaptations, with different areas of focus.
This is entirely driven by the requirements of the game and what we must do to be in the top percentiles for performance.
Training modality and acute training variables must be developed with consideration to the young athlete.
Special considerations for age must be built into any training program to ensure and effective development of balance, strength, power, speed and agility, for example.
We should never compromise the safety and development of a young athlete for the perceived benefit of short term performance.
Our body needs to be able to respond to the demands placed upon it.
Different sports require different adaptations, with different areas of focus.
This is entirely driven by the requirements of the game and what we must do to be in the top percentiles for performance.
Training modality and acute training variables must be developed with consideration to the young athlete.
Special considerations for age must be built into any training program to ensure and effective development of balance, strength, power, speed and agility, for example.
We should never compromise the safety and development of a young athlete for the perceived benefit of short term performance.
Our Training Approach …
First involves a clear understanding of the game and playing parameters as well as an understanding of the athlete. This includes, for example, bursts of power, strength endurance as well as minimum recovery time along with an assessment of athletic capabilities.
Once these parameters are understood, they can be trained by creating safe and effective overloads with an understanding of how to overload each metabolic pathway and energy system. The training plan should be undulating and periodized to vary volume and intensity within a week and over the span of the training cycles to drive improvements.
Each dimension needs to be trained, strength, power, speed, conditioning, all with respect to the specific sport.
This should start with stabilization training, then progresses through strength and finally into power. Progressing too quickly greatly increases the risk of injury at any age, but especially in young athletes.
Younger athletes will require a less structured approach to maintain proper motivation and interest, as the athletes mature more structure can be added.
First involves a clear understanding of the game and playing parameters as well as an understanding of the athlete. This includes, for example, bursts of power, strength endurance as well as minimum recovery time along with an assessment of athletic capabilities.
Once these parameters are understood, they can be trained by creating safe and effective overloads with an understanding of how to overload each metabolic pathway and energy system. The training plan should be undulating and periodized to vary volume and intensity within a week and over the span of the training cycles to drive improvements.
Each dimension needs to be trained, strength, power, speed, conditioning, all with respect to the specific sport.
This should start with stabilization training, then progresses through strength and finally into power. Progressing too quickly greatly increases the risk of injury at any age, but especially in young athletes.
Younger athletes will require a less structured approach to maintain proper motivation and interest, as the athletes mature more structure can be added.
If you are the parent of a young athlete I encourage you to research training modalities, to get involved and to help plan, and most of all to be an advocate for your children throughout their development. This will help ensure that they are participating and developing in a safe and effective manner.
