With the new school year in full swing across the country, youth athletes are gearing up for another season.
No matter your sport, one thing remains a constant throughout: the importance of in-season speed and conditioning.
This week, we’ll talk about key elements to consider when enhancing youth in-season speed and conditioning programs, assisting athletes so they may perform at their best and reducing the risk of injuries.
All of your hard work in the summer can dwindle if you neglect the importance of in-season training.
It ensures the progress made during the off-season is maintained and brought into on-field performance as a noticeable improvement. In-season training helps athletes stay in peak physical condition, refine their skills, and adapt to the demands of their sport late into the season.
Different sports require different demands of an athlete's body. So, it's imperative to design training programs that cater to the specific needs of each sport.
For instance, a basketball player's training regimen might focus on agility, explosive jumping, and quick lateral movements, while a soccer player's program might emphasize endurance, change of direction, and acceleration.
Tailoring the training program to the sport enhances its effectiveness. Football In-Season training is often overlooked, but important for recovery and sustaining strength.
When we say to keep training while in-season, this doesn’t mean to train like it’s the summer.
While it's tempting to push young athletes to their limits during the season, it's equally important to prioritize rest and recovery.
Overtraining can lead to burnout and increase the risk of injuries. Coaches should implement periodization techniques, alternating between high-intensity workouts and lower-intensity recovery sessions. Proper sleep, nutrition, and hydration also play crucial roles in promoting recovery.
Functional movements reflect the actions performed in the actual sport. Including exercises that replicate the movements and challenges faced during competition can enhance an athlete's performance.
Not only is athleticism improved, but it reduces the risk of injury by promoting proper biomechanics.
Agility and quickness are what sets each level apart.
Designing drills that focus on sharp cuts, rapid direction changes, and reactionary movements can be added into your practice so that it isn’t completely abandoned during the season.
There are many cone drills you can bring into your practices. These can be used as warmup drills, or position specific drills.
I loved the pro agility shuttle (5-10-5) drills, as a great linebacker, as one example.
Here are some cone drills to pull from.
Every sport needs speed and power. This may be in the form of small precision.
Incorporating plyometric exercises, sprints, and resistance training can help young athletes develop and maintain explosive speed and strength.
Progressive overload should be a guiding principle. This simple means to gradually increase the intensity of workouts over time to ensure continuous improvement.
To make that work effectively, think pyramid over the course of the season so there is a known peak with a purposeful reduction in training loads.
We coach and play sports because we love it.
Strength and conditioning can help our players compete at their highest potential and give them the best chance at staying safe and healthy.
Each one of us wants to see our athletes grow as individuals through their sport, not only as a performer, but as a person.
