So a great question was asked on the message board over at www.IYCAMembers.com a couple of days ago. "Why are high speed running treadmills NOT recommended for training young athletes?" I’ve been talking about this issue for as long as I can remember. So naturally… I offered my two cents. Here are my thoughts:
My Top 4 – Youth Fitness Training
1) Understanding Long-Term, Developmental Fitness 2) Art of Coaching 3) Nutrition as a Lifestyle 4) Speed & Agility (MOVEMENT) Training No particular order. Just the four things I think are the most important in terms of quality athletic development programs. ABD the things that Coaches/Trainers must understand most. What do you think? Want to rank my Top 4? Want to suggest something else?
Front Loaded Training Programs?
by Dr. Toby J. Brooks, PhD, ATC, CSCS, YCS-2, PES As I have shared here before, I just started a new job at Texas Tech University. During my first week on the job, we had a record high temperature on Monday, record snowfall on Wednesday, and fired our long-tenured and fan favorite head football coach. What a week! At any rate, I am settling in and getting ready for the upcoming spring semester.
Ask Your Biggest Nutrition Question
On Tuesday January 26, I am hosting a live and free Teleseminar with Chris to answer ANY and ALL of your questions related to young athlete nutrition. EVENT: Young Athlete Nutrition DATE & TIME: Tuesday, January 26th at 8:00pm Eastern FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast — it’s your choice) TO ATTEND THIS EVENT, CLICK THIS LINK NOW… —-> http://www.AttendThisEvent.com/?eventid=10949619 Now, in the meantime, I need you to go to ask any question you have about Nutrition. Any question. I’ll ask your questions to Chris live on the Teleseminar. Now, I’m also giving.. More »
Kids Fitness: Why they Shouldn’t Lock Out Their Joints
Kids Fitness Physiology by Dr. Kwame M. Brown This article will by no means be an exhaustive discussion of the evidence, but I look forward to elaborating as we get responses. Installment #476 in things I keep hearing people say: “You should lock out the joints at the end of a (bench press, squat, etc)”. The joints need stress to get stronger.” By this logic I should do the following: 1. Beat my head against a wall to protect myself from brain injuries (After all I am putting my cranium under much needed.. More »
Youth Coaching Tributes 2010
Youth Coaching Dan Parsons had the greatest impact on my Youth Coaching career. Bar none. Of all the wonderful Coaches I have had the sincere pleasure of meeting and working with over the years, he, by far and away, is the one that stands out to me. I was 22. Young and very ambitious. Dan was a seasoned veteran and had worked with literally hundreds of young athletes through his career. And wow… what a role model he became to me. He taught me about the scientific concepts of long-term athlete development. .. More »
Cross Fit Kids vs. IYCA
Kids Fitness Programming by Dr. Kwame M. Brown I had the pleasure today of observing an hour of a kids fitness’ program that, with a little work, could develop into a great program. The Kids Fitness Program There were about 8 kids, aged about 6 – 11. The program was written on a board ahead of time, and the instructors discussed it and made changes ahead of time. They started out with some of the standard fare warm ups (jumping jacks, high knees, butt kicks). The kids then moved to an “animal” based relay around cones. They.. More »
How To Shape Speed Training – Part 2
Speed Training A coach or trainer must possess a firm grasp of applied pedagogical science and have the ability to convert that knowledge into its practical art form. Gone are the days of the ‘one size fits all’ approach to working with athletes. You cannot assume nor expect a given group of athletes, with their varying personalities and temperaments, to relate and respond to a singular style of coaching. The aristocratic and authoritarian coaching style, long considered the most effective means of handling a group of athletes, is in actuality, a surefire way to negate the.. More »
How To Shape Speed Training – Part 1
Speed Training Many articles, books and information products discuss the development of speed from its physiological perspective of bio-motor enhancement. How to get athletes stronger so as to create more force production and absorption. How many sets and reps are necessary in a given training program in order to elicit the greatest possible hypertrophic response. How long should the rest times be between sprints or cone drills so as to ensure maximum recoverability. These are all valid considerations and the purpose of this article is not to diminish their value. The pursuit of lasting speed.. More »
IYCA: Is It Odd?
Is it odd that in 2009, I drove to Iowa to spend two days with IYCA Member Aaron Larmore, just so I could see his new facility and offer insight on how it could run most efficiently? Is it odd that Pat, Nick and myself routinely got on the phone with IYCA Members from all over the world just to see if we could help with any business or training related questions they had? Is it odd that I hosted three ‘Coffee, Tea and Talk’ events – for free – and invited IYCA Members to join me so.. More »
Youth Coaching: Prove Me Wrong
Youth Coaching In 1911, researchers begin taking special interest in a horse owned by a German mathematician named Von Osten. The horse, aptly named Clever Hans, was reported to able to count – add, subtract, multiply and divide. It was even suggested that Clever Hans could spell and solve problems involving musical harmony. As mystifying and even magical as this seemed to be, it was concluded following a rigorous study, that in fact Clever Hans possessed no highly intelligent factors nor extraordinary abilities. It was simply a case of Clever Hans performing what had become.. More »
Training Young Athletes & Hmmmmm?
Training Young Athletes by Toby J. Brooks, PhD, ATC, CSCS, YCS-2, PES Director of Research & Education – IYCA Owner – www.nitrohype.com Two Youth Fitness Things That Make Me Go HMMMMMMM? I’ll admit it. I am older than much of the IYCA “core” demographic. After attending last year’s First Annual International Summit in Louisville, I walked away feeling somewhat surprised that I was actually experienced enough (read: old enough) to be considered a veteran in the field. That said, I am old enough to remember when The Arsenio Hall Show was the late night show to watch. One.. More »
An Example of What’s Wrong in Youth Sports?
Youth Sports Excerpt from Article: "Creatine, which the American College of Sports Medicine says shouldn’t be used by those younger than 18, has been shown to be ineffective for some people. It can cause stomach upset and muscle cramps and overwork the kidneys. There are no data evaluating the long-term consequences of use or its effect on the heart and brain." "Coach H" Response: I have been reading this tired boogey monster story about creatine since the mid 80’s and coaching high school juniors and older using creatine the entire time. I have rarely witnessed anything negative happening. The.. More »
IYCA: Consider This
[wpfblike] IYCA Code… by Dr. Kwame M. Brown The below is said with love, and I mean that. "Research Shows"… "It is a well known fact that"… "There is evidence to support"… These are all statements I have heard time and time again to support statements that people believe. I feel it is time for me to say something as a classically trained and field experience scientist / practitioner. "Research Shows": Does it? Which research? Does research show the opposite of what you are saying, or show it less than the research than you.. More »
Dietary Supplements – Hype or Hope?
[wpfblike] Dietary Supplements by Dr. Chris Mohr, PhD, RD There are over 29,000 dietary supplements available. From creatine to fat burners, whey protein to weight gain formulas. What works? What doesn’t? Do you need a supplement to perform at your best? While giving a talk recently to high school football players, I asked the team this question: How many of you take dietary supplements? About 95% of the athletes raised their hands. I then asked this follow up question. How many of you ate breakfast this morning? 3 hands out.. More »
What's Your Top 3?
What is your Top 3? The three things that every parent needs to hear. Leave your comments below and let me know. I’ll make sure that the people who need to read this, will… – Brian
Youth Fitness Priorities
[wpfblike] Youth Fitness Stepping Stones by Toby J. Brooks, PhD, ATC, CSCS, YCS-2, PES Director of Research & Education – IYCA Owner – www.nitrohype.com I am in the midst of a huge move. My family and I are in the process of boxing up everything in our modest home, loading up a truck, and moving over 1000 miles west to Lubbock, Texas. I am excited by the possibilities and opportunities that await us there, but the whole process got me to thinking… And when I get to thinking, like my wife says, watch out. I.. More »
IYCA: Thank You and A Gift From Me
IYCA Provides… by Wil Fleming – www.beforcefit.com It is the week of Thanksgiving and I wanted to share with you why I am thankful for the IYCA. Certainly I am thankful for the knowledge I gain from attending live events and the continuing education certification courses but that only touches the surface. The IYCA gives away, literally gives away, so much valuable information. All of it for free. The IYCA treats its members like family. I am thankful for being a part of an organization that wants me to be able to do what I love better than.. More »
Youth Sports Frustration
Youth Sports and coaches Chime in… Be sure to add your thoughts to the comments section. Debbie Schwarm: I would LOVE to come to the IYCA Summit because I am a parent who cannot find an avenue to gain any traction on promoting proper coaching in our area. I have approached coaches and subsequently left clubs, attempted to get the Positive Coaching Alliance involved in a club whose president now avoids me and any correspondance at all costs, and approached the state and national youth soccer associations about proper training for kids who refuse to.. More »
Want To Attend The 2010 IYCA Summit For Free?
IYCA Summit I decided to give away two free tickets to the 2010 IYCA Summit All I need you to do is tell me why you want the free admission. Just a brief sentence or two that illustrates your passion, speaks to your own altruistic intentions and reveals why the IYCA means something to you. On Thursday November 19 at 7:00pm (EST) I’m hosting a Teleseminar with Pat Rigsby where we’re going to discuss youth training and answer all your Summit-related questions. During that Teleseminar, I’m going to announce who gets to come to.. More »