Your Questions Answered…

I’ve received a number of questions since the release of the IYCA Youth Athletic Assessment Specialist Certification yesterday.

You can learn more about this new Certification here:

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I asked IYCA Co-Owner Pat Rigsby to answer some of those questions below:

Question: What Is The Youth Athlete Assessment Specialist Certification?

Answer: This Credential is a product of years of innovation and current research. The Youth Athlete Assessment Specialist Certification combines:

·         The IYCA’s proprietary Big 5 Movement Assessment. This Assessment screens 5 different movement patterns that are commonly deficient in young athletes and allows you to score those patterns to better identify limitations and asymmetries to better allow you to program effectively.

·         Sport Specific Testing Batteries. 9 Individualized Sport-Specific Testing Batteries that will allow you to assess and evaluate performance over time.

·         Practical Application. The use of specific tools, actual case studies and real world application to better empower you to implement testing protocols and serial athletic assessment.

Question: Who Should Get Youth Athletic Assessment Specialist Certified?

Answer: Any Fitness Professional or Coach who is developing program for and / or training young athletes should be Youth Athletic Assessment Specialist Certified.

If you’re coaching or training young athletes that are experiencing any of these challenges, then the Youth Athletic Assessment Specialist Certification will better equip you to serve those athletes and help you keep them injury free and performing their best.

Question: How long will it take to complete the Certification?

Answer: Typically 2-3 weeks is average. If you have completed other assessment programs, you can likely complete the program more quickly. When you enroll, you will be given immediate access to your entire curriculum. You will also be given access to take your certification exam online.

There are no additional fees to take your test. You have 365 days following your enrollment in the YAAS Certification program before you must test.

You’re just a couple short weeks from adding Certified Youth Athletic Assessment Specialist to your resume and your toolbox.

*****************************************************************************************

If you want to step ahead of the competition an be better equipped than any other coach in your area to assess and coach your athletes to success, then you can become a Certified Youth Athletic Assessment Specialist at $100 off until Friday.

==> Youth Athlete Assessment Specialist Certification

This could be a career changing resource for you, but only if you choose to take advantage of it.

Wishing you health and success,

Joe

The Athletic Assessment Cert is LIVE!

You may have heard that IYCA would be releasing an Assessment-Based Certification recently.  Well, today is the day and here is your exclusive $100 invitation to become one of the first IYCA Certified Youth Athletic Assessment Specialists:

IYCA Certified Youth Athletic Assessment Specialist 

This revolutionary Certification (including digital textbook, syllabus videos, and exam) is the definitive resource for assessments with young athletes.

Now, while that may sound like a bold claim, the IYCA has put over 18 months developing this brand new Credential and it’s outstanding.

Simply put, the IYCA Youth Athletic Assessment Specialist Certification will give you the tools you need to stay on the leading edge with the athletes to you coach.

And for the next four days only, it's $100 off via this exclusive invitation.
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If you want to better prepare yourself to coach your athletes to success, then this is a must have Credential for you. While there are numerous other resources that provide education on assessments and performance testing, there is nothing that has ever been developed specifically to address both of these areas specific to young athletes.

If you're ready to be a better coach, become a Certified Youth Athletic Assessment Specialist today at a full $100 off.

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Wishing you health and success,

Joe

Performance Test Hacks [Gift]

What do Performance Tests have to do with on the field or on the court performance?

The answer doesn’t matter one bit.

The bottom line is that if an athlete wants to earn a college scholarship they must be prepared to succeed in the Performance Tests that are important to the coaches they’re trying to get the attention of.

Training for Performance Tests requires understanding how to shave critical tenths off of some tests and add critical inches to others.

But most coaches aren’t teaching athletes how to beat the performance-based tests.

Now you can with the IYCA’s Performance Testing Cheat Sheet.

In the IYCA’s Performance Testing Cheat Sheet you’ll discover secrets and ‘hacks’ for improving 3 of the most popular Performance Tests:

The 40 Yard Dash…

•  How to make simple, drastic changes to improve 40 times today
• The secrets to mastering the first 10 yards (and why that’s critical)
• The body position settings for a powerful start
• Discover the #1 secret to moving the body forward faster
• And Much More!

The Vertical Leap Test…

• How to maximize your reach
• How to avoid crucial mistakes athletes make before ever taking a jump
• Discover the #1 factor determining vertical jump height
• And Much More!

The 20 Yard Shuttle Test (aka 5-10-5 Test or Pro Agility Test)…

• The fundamentals to an effective starting stance
• How to shave .2 seconds in the first 5 yards
• The #1 biggest mistake athletes make in the 10 yard sprint
• And Much More!

These Secrets can maximize your athletes’ performance in the performance tests that they MUST perform well in to grab the attention of the coaches and scouts that hold the key to their future…and you can gain instant access to them now.

Get Instant Access to the IYCA’s Performance Testing Cheat Sheet now:

Get The Performance Testing Cheat Sheet Here

Sincerely,

Joe

Master The Combine Tests [Cheat Sheet]

Just like prepping for the SAT, your athletes can do some test prep for the combine tests and in the IYCA’s brand new Performance Testing Cheat Sheet we give you the ‘hacks’ you need to ace these increasingly important tests.

Get IYCA’s brand new Performance Testing Cheat Sheet now:

Get The Performance Testing Cheat Sheet Here

Discover the secrets to coaching athletes to perform their best in the:

·         40 yd Dash

·         Vertical Leap

·         5-10-5 / Pro Agility Drill

Get Instant Access to the IYCA’s brand new Performance Testing Cheat Sheet now:

Get The Performance Testing Cheat Sheet Here

Sincerely,

Joe

Get The IYCA’s Performance Testing Cheatsheet [No Cost]

You can get the IYCA’s brand new Performance Testing Cheat Sheet now:

Get The Performance Testing Cheat Sheet Here

Discover tips and hacks to propel your athletes to PRs in the 40 yd dash, Vertical Leap and 5-10-5 / Pro Agility Drill.

Get the IYCA’s Performance Testing Cheat Sheet now:
Get The Performance Testing Cheat Sheet Here

Sincerely,

Joe

Proven "In The Trenches" Programs

The FCG Group Training Playbook is loaded with programs that 42 top trainers in the industry actually use in their programs to get their clients serious results.

You’ve got access to YEARS worth of done-for-you programs HERE!

These trainers and coaches are degreed in the field and/or certified by REAL accredited organizations and are using sound, PROVEN, scientifically based training principles.  Now they are going to share with YOU, what they are doing to get the people they serve phenomenal results.

Add this incredible book to your training library today while it’s still on sale.

GET IT HERE

Wishing you health and success,

Joe

P.S. – The price for the Group Training Playbook DOUBLES tomorrow night.  Get it now and SAVE 50%.

FCG Group Training Playbook

Too busy for your business?

In recent months I have undergone some career changes. Don't get me wrong, things are good - just busy! I was once told being busy wasn't necessarily a bad thing as long as there was balance. I have definitely been busy but not very balanced recently.  My passions of educating colleagues and training athletes have taken a "back seat" recently. I need to apologize for that.

So I have dedicated my morning to "catch up".

Here we go...

I have found TWO program design systems you may want to look at.

ULTIMATE PROGRAM BUILDER

The Ultimate Program Builder was created by corrective exercise guru Mike Robertson and metabolic training machine Tyler English as they have put together a truly unique done-for-you program design tool.

Ultimate Program Builder literally gives trainers the ability to design personal training and boot camp workouts in minutes.  I tested this thing out and was able to build a progressive 12-week Strength-Size program in under 5 minutes!

The software includes a programmable functional Warm-up, a Strength-Size template, a Fat Loss template, and a Metabolic Conditioning template.

Plus, you can print out a workout card with space to add weights used and notes.  You can even add your own logo to the printout. :-)

Yeah, it’s pretty much a tool that every trainer should have in his or her toolbox… In fact, it was a major seller when it first came out a few months ago.

Joe

P.S. – Mike Robertson and Tyler English are at the top of their games.  Having these two collaborate on a program design tool literally gives you the best of both worlds for your programming needs.

IYCA PROGRAM DESIGN SYSTEM

If you'd like to discover step-by-step, how to develop effective training programs that ensure all young athletes achieve their full athletic potential…then the IYCA Program Design System is for you.

The IYCA Program Design give you the tools you need to ensure that all your hard work yields the results you want in developing your athletes.

So if you’re ready to apply the IYCA Program Design System, here IS what you can expect to learn and be ready to apply:

• How to utilize periodization for sustained strength and speed gains.
• The most effective (and only) strength training exercises required.
• Each component the ideal training session and how to sequence them for optimal results.
• The predominant factors in building stronger, more explosive athletes and THE blueprint for teaching them.
• The secrets to maximizing the ability of ALL your athletes.
• A blueprint for becoming a Better Coach & getting Better Results.
•  Proven templates for creating programs for ordinary to elite high school athletes.
• A library of EVERY exercise you need for effective program design.
• The step-by-step system that will allow you to finally maximize the performance of each and every athlete you coach.
• And much, much more.

Get the IYCA Program Design System here now:

IYCA PROGRAM DESIGN SYSTEM

Joe

P.S. - You can reenergize your training and write effective programs whether you’re a first year coach or a seasoned veteran.  Just follow the simple, flexible and proven program design concepts presented in The IYCA ProgramDesign System.

Get This Before Your Competition Does!

Consumers are getting much smarter about choosing personal trainers and bootcamps. 

Programs that are just out to impress their clients with whacky exercises or want to beat their clients so hard they can’t move for days are no longer attractive.

Sure, some people love that stuff.  But, the sophisticated middle-aged, middle to upper class clientele doesn’t want to fork over $200 a month for a beat down by some cocky punk trainer.

No, the clients that most trainers want, the ones who pay, stay and refer are looking for something much more out of their training program.

And, that brings me to this…

Mike Robertson and his long-time colleagues Jim Laird & Molly Galbraith put together the first ever done-for-you bootcamp training system – Bootcamp in a Box

These 3 are absolute gurus when it comes to program design, and they’re literally giving you 6 months of their proven workout system.  Plus, they teach you how to implement it!

Oh yeah, and they’ve put their training system on sale this week so I’d grab it now if I were you…

Wishing you health and success,

Joe

P.S. – Your clients want to look, FEEL AND PERFORM their best.  Make sure you’ve got the proven training system to do that.  Mike, Molly and Jim are handing theirs over to you on a silver platter.

P.P.S. – SAVE BIG while Bootcamp in a Box is still ON SALE…the price jumps tomorrow night!

Functional Strength Coach 4 for the Holidays

Mike Boyle's Functional Strength Coach 4 program is 20% off through December 7.

CLICK HERE FOR 20% OFF

Last Day to Test Drive CAD 2.0

Today is the last day can test drive the IYCA Complete Athlete Development System 2.0 for just $14.95 - the cost of shipping. You can get it here: >>Get CAD For Only $14.95<< This one of a kind coaching resource includes: Module #1: Assessment & Corrective Work In Athletic Development Programming with Bill Hartman. Module #2: Mobility In Athletic Development Programming with Mike Robertson Module #3: Strength Training In Athletic Development Programming with Mike Robertson. Module #4: Power Training In Athletic Development Programming with Wil Fleming. Module #5: Linear Speed In Athletic Development Programming with Latif Thomas. Module #6: Multi-Directional Speed In Athletic Development Programming with Dave Jack. Module #7: Conditioning For Athletic Development with Robert Dos Remidos. Module #8: Nutrition For Athletic Development with Dr. Chris Mohr. Module #9: Athletic Development In A Team Setting with Carlo Alvarez. Module #10: Development For The Young Athlete with Dave Gleason. Module #11: Band Training In Athletic Development Programming with Dave Schmitz. Module #12: Kettlebell Training In Athletic Development Programming with Pamela MacElree. All 12 of these Modules housed on 14 DVDs, plus... * The Complete Athlete Development 2.0 Manual (over 200 pages of expertize from the top coaches in the world) * Over 100 Proven Training Programs from this Elite team of Coaches, ready for immediate use with your athletes. You can grab these 14 DVDs, 200 Page Manual and Collection of over 100 Proven Training Programs ...for just the cost of Shipping here: >>Get CAD For Only $14.95<< Remember -opportunity to Test Drive CAD 2.0 for just the cost of Shipping ends at Midnight EST Tonight. Act now: >>Get CAD For Only $14.95<< Dedicated to Your Success, Pat P.S. - You can test drive this powerful system for 30 days for just $14.95 and if you choose to keep this course you'll just be billed 3 installments of $67...a full $99 off the regular price.

TEST DRIVE CAD 2.0

Test Drive Complete Athlete Development 2.0 for 30 days for just the cost of shipping.

Start Your Test Drive here:
completeathletedevelopment.com 

After the success of the release of Complete Athlete Development 2.0 we were discussing 
why we felt that CAD was so important for us to bring to market.

While there were a variety of reasons that we felt this was a must for the industry, the most 
important one was so that coaches would have a complete, powerful resource they could 
use to make sure they were delivering the best possible programming to their athletes.

CAD is like having a complete Encyclopedia for Training Athletes, there for you to reference 
whenever you need to and to give you a comprehensive blueprint for coaching success.

With that in mind we knew we wanted to get CAD 2.0 into as many coaches' hands as 
possible - and while the release last week was an incredible start - we want to go a step
 further.

So we just decided to let you Test Drive Complete Athlete Development 2.0 for the next 30 
days for just the cost of shipping and see how powerful this training system truly is.

You can start you Test Drive here:
completeathletedevelopment.com

After than you'll pay just 3 installments of $67.

Here's You're Complete Athlete Development System, Module By Module...

Module One: Assessment & Corrective Work In Athletic Development Programming with 
Bill Hartman.

In this Module Bill Hartman will:

* Teach you how to identify your athletes' physical limitations
* Give you exercise progressions to address those limitations and imbalances
* Help you prevent injuries in your athletes though effective programming
* And Much, much more!

Module Two: Mobility In Athletic Development Programming with Mike Robertson.

In this Module Mike will:

* Teach you the real difference between mobility and flexibility
* Give you effective strategies for integrating mobility into your training programs
* Provide you with plug and play mobility drills for every athlete you coach
* And Much, much more!

Module Three: Strength Training In Athletic Development Programming with Mike 
Robertson.

In this Module Mike Robertson will show you:

* Step by step progressions for the lifts you should be integrating into your program
* Simple rules and guidelines for deciding which lifts to do based on time of year, including 
sets, reps, intensities and recoveries
* The keys to making sure your athletes are getting stronger 12 months a year
* Much, Much More!

Module Four: Power Training In Athletic Development Programming with Wil Fleming.

In this Module Wil Fleming will teach you how to:

* Understand Exactly How to Teach Power Training Focused Movements
* Have a Progressive System that Matches Specific Exercises with Your Athletes Ability 
(meeting them where they stand now)
* Create Built-In Progressions and Regressions
* Learn How and When Power Exercises Insert Into a Training Session, Cycle, In or Off 
Season Plan

Module Five: Linear Speed In Athletic Development Programming with Latif Thomas.

In this Module Latif Thomas will teach you:

* How to create a system for teaching speed
* Integrating of Linear Speed Acceleration in overall programming
* The secrets to making your athletes the fastest in the game
* How to best include speed work in every session

Module Six: Multi-Directional Speed In Athletic Development Programming with Dave 
Jack

In this Module Dave Jack will teach you:

* How to teach optimal agility & deceleration
* Multi-Directional Speed Patterns & Drills
* Multi-directional progressions that can easily be integrated into your programs
* And Much, much more!

Module Seven: Conditioning For Athletic Development with Robert Dos Remidos

In this Module Coach Dos will teach you:

* Effective strategies for implementing combinations, complexes and circuits into a 
program to maximize conditioning
* The best way to design the condition component of your program for athletic performance
* How to build superior conditioning using both common and uncommon training protocols
* And much, much more!

Module Eight: Nutrition For Athletic Development with Dr. Chris Mohr.

In this Module Dr. Chris Mohr will teach you:

* The truth about training supplements and young athletes
* How to help your athletes bulk up, trim down or maintain their current weight
* The critical factors for maximizing performance through nutrition
* And Much, Much More!

Module Nine: Athletic Development In A Team Setting with Carlo Alvarez.

In this Module Carlo Alvarez will teach you:

* How to design and implement effective programs with large groups
* The keys to maximizing individual athletic development in a team environment
* Secrets to maximize the use of your space, time and resources
* Much, much more!

Module Ten: Development For The Young Athlete with Dave Gleason.

In this Module Dave Gleason will teach you:

* Considerations for younger athletes
* Exact training methods for 6-9 year-old athletes
* The truth about the development of young athletes
* Much, much more!

Module Eleven: Band Training In Athletic Development Programming with Dave Schmitz.

In this module Dave Schmitz will teach you:

* How to develop extraordinary power and explosiveness with bands
* Where bands fit into you overall programming as a training tool
* The advantages to using bands with younger athletes as your primary training tool
* And much, much more!

Module Twelve: Kettlebell Training In Athletic Development Programming with Pamela 
MacElree.

In this Module Pamela MacElree will teach you:

* Exactly How to Teach Kettlebell Use to Young Athletes
* A Progressive System that Matches Specific Kettlebell Exercises with Your Athletes Ability
* How Kettlebells Are An Incredibly Effective Tool That Can Enhance Performance & Decrease 
Injury
* And Much, Much more!

All 12 of these Modules housed on 14 DVDs, plus...

* The Complete Athlete Development 2.0 Manual (over 200 pages of expertize from the top 
coaches in the world)

* Over 100 Proven Training Programs from this Elite team of Coaches, ready for immediate 
use with your athletes.

You can grab these 14 DVDs, 200 Page Manual and Collection of over 100 Proven Training 
Programs ...for 30 days to see how powerful this training system is for just the cost of shipping 
here:

completeathletedevelopment.com

Remember - the opportunity to Test Drive CAD 2.0 for just the cost of shipping ends at 
Midnight EST Friday. Act now:
completeathletedevelopment.com 

Dedicated to Your Success,

Pat

P.S. - Remember, this opportunity is only available for 72 more hours, so don't miss out:
completeathletedevelopment.com 

Complete Athletic Development 2.0

I've had a lot of questions about Complete Athlete Development 2.0 since it went live. If you missed it, you can see it here: completeathletedevelopment.com To address some of the most common questions I've put together the answers below... Do I have to be IYCA Certified to invest in CAD 2.0? Answer: No, we've developed Complete Athlete Development 2.0 to give you a  comprehensive blueprint for developing young athletes. While we feel strongly about the benefit in you becoming IYCA certified, we realize that  some trainers and coaches simple want a proven recipe for improving their athletes and  may not necessarily be focused on the science behind the programming. That's what CAD 2.0 is. 100% practical, proven knowledge and programming to  immediately plug in with your athletes to help them reach their potential. What if I'm new to coaching young athletes? Is Complete Athlete Development  right for me? Answer: Actually, if you're new to coaching young athletes, CAD 2.0 is likely the best  resource in the entire industry as it completely eliminates the trial and error and gives  you exactly what has worked for 11 of the top coaches in the world for the athletes they  serve. CAD 2.0 will allow you to deliver world class programming to your athletes no matter how  long you've been coaching. (Please don't mistake what I'm saying for you not needing to educate yourself on how to  develop your own world class programming, CAD 2.0 will just allow you to borrow from the  best until you've put in the time to hone your craft.) Can I go through Complete Athlete Development 2.0 at my own pace? Answer: Absolutely. You get access to the massive Complete Athlete Development  System entire so you can go through the material at whatever pace you feel most  comfortable. No rush, no pressure, no exam to take. Use what you need now (there are over 100 ready to use training programs included) and  move through the rest at your own pace. I already have some other coaching products. Is Complete Athlete Development  different? Answer: We've seen about every product on the market and have created a number of  them myself - and yes it's different. Complete Athlete Development 2.0 takes you behind the scenes with 11 of the top  Coaches in the World and gives you a step by step blueprint for developing young athletes  that you just don't get from any other coaching products. While many of the concepts that are shared in CAD 2.0 are things that have been taught  before in the contributors own products, nothing like this has ever been compiled in one comprehensive resource designed specifically and systematically to develop young  athletes. Dedicated to Your Success, Pat Rigsby completeathletedevelopment.com

Perform Better End of Summer Sale

Received an email earlier today that Perform Better is having an End of Summer Sale.  Click banner below for details.


Wishing you health and success,
Joe

Show and Go by Eric Cressey

Below is from Eric Cressey...

 

For many minor league professional baseball players, the 2012 season wraps up this week. And, while the big leaguers won't be back for another month, this week still marks the beginning of off-season training at Cressey Performance. To celebrate the start of my favorite time of year, I thought I'd put my "flagship" product on sale. From now through Sunday, September 9 at midnight, you can get $50 off Show and Go: High Performance Training to Look, Feel, and Move Better.

 

Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to get a comprehensive, versatile resource at a huge discount. Check it out now:

 

Show and Go: High Performance Training to Look, Feel, and Move Better

 

 

Functional Strength Coach

Mike Boyle, one of the most successful Certified Athletic Trainers, Strength Coach, and Fitness Industry Businessmen, released his latest program this week called Functional Strength Coach 4.

Those who have studied under Mike would most likely describe him as passionate.  Mike has a passion for critical thinking and clinical reasoning.  He has a desire for those who call themselves a "professional" in the sports medicine, athletic development, and fitness industries to develop a philosophy that is sound and supported.

What makes Mike so unique is that he understands that there isn't only one way to develop such a philosophy.  He acknowledges that his own thoughts and skill set has come from an array of areas, many times through trial and error.

Mike not only is a leading authority in the areas mentioned above, he is also a teacher.  If you have ever watched him lead an inservice at his own facility (Body By Boyle Online), you will understand what I mean.  You may even want to become a member of his Body By Boyle Online website just to stand in amazement of his ability to help you understand function.

If you work with athletes or the active population (or you are an athlete or active person) look at Mike's FSC4 program.

Mike's FSC3 program is still available also.

Coordination and Movement Skill Development

Brian Grasso is the CEO of the International Youth Conditioning Association and is considered one of the premier authorities on youth athletic development in the world. Access Brian's free database of articles and exercises at DevelopingAthletics.com.

The key ingredient to working with pre-adolescent and early adolescent athletes is providing global stimulation from a movement perspective. Younger athletes must experience and eventually perfect a variety of motor skills in order to ensure both future athletic success and injury prevention. Developing basic coordination through movement stimulus is a must, with the eventual goal of developing sport-specific coordination in the teenage years. Coordination itself, however, is a global system made up of several synergistic elements and not necessarily a singularly defined ability.

Balance, rhythm, spatial orientation and the ability to react to both auditory and visual stimulus have all been identified as elements of coordination. In fact, the development of good coordination is a multi-tiered sequence that progresses from skills performed with good spatial awareness but without speed to skills performed at increased speeds and in a constantly changing environment. As Joseph Drabik points out, coordination is best developed between the ages of 7 – 14, with the most crucial period being between 10 – 13 years of age.

As with anything else, an important issue with respect to coordination development is to provide stimulus that is specific (and therefore appropriate) for the individual. Prescribing drills that are either too easy or too difficult for the young athlete will have a less than optimal result.

An interesting note, as I have suggested in past articles, is that there appears to be a cap with respect to coordination development and ability. Younger athletes who learn to master the elements associated with good coordination (balance, rhythm, spatial awareness, reaction etc), are far better off then athletes who are not exposed to this kind of exercise stimulation until advanced ages. The ability to optimally develop coordination ends at around the age of 16. This validates the claim that global, early exposure is the key from an athletic development standpoint. Again, global coordination will serve as the basis to develop specific coordination in the teenage years.

Once again, it is important to mention that coordination development is a process that encompasses years of exposure and is based on DIVERSITY and VERSATILITY. Young athletes cannot be pigeonholed into sport specific stimulus at a young age and expected to vault into the ranks of elite athletics. As the motto of my company says, ‘You Can’t Become a Champion Until You Become An Athlete’.

Furthermore, it is important to understand that coordination-based exercises must be introduced during the preadolescent ages. Adolescence is not an appropriate time during which to begin elements of coordination training. As strength, speed, height and body mass change significantly during these years, it is much more prudent to reinforce already known movements rather than teach new ones. Herein lies the art and understanding of developing a young athlete. Coaches, trainers and parents must accept the fact that developing a healthy and successful athlete is a journey or process that encompasses several varying degrees of stimulus, all of which build on top of the other.

Coordination training, for example, is introduced during the pre-adolescent ages while nervous system plasticity is high and movement habits have not yet been ingrained as permanent. The scope of coordination training changes during the adolescent ages, during which physical growth alters the young athlete’s previously mastered movement habits. At this time, refinement of movement should take precedent over learning new movement-based skills. In post-adolescence, coordination training can once again be taken to new heights.

One point to consider about coordination is that genetic pre-disposition plays a significant role. Less coordinated children will likely never exhibit the tendencies of naturally coordinated children regardless of training. That is not to say that improvements cannot be made, however – quite the opposite.

Here are three basic principals of coordination training

1. Start young – coordination improves as a result of learning and mastering new movements. Start young athletes off early with coordination-based exercises that challenge their abilities (within reason). The more coordination a young athlete has, the more ability he or she will display at any perspective sport.

2. Challenge young athletes on an individual and appropriate level – Some youngsters have good balance while others display good rhythm. The key to successful coaching is to undercover what elements of coordination each athlete requires and develop drills/exercises that most suitably target the weaknesses.

3. Change exercises frequently – young athletes learn quickly in most cases. Be sure to challenge them physically and intellectually with new exercises often.

The following list provides some basic exercises that you can use with your young athletes to help develop elements of coordination –

Multi-directional forms of running, jumping and skipping

Single leg balancing games

Mirror games (mirroring each other’s movements)

Known exercises starting or finishing in new positions (start sprints from belly or one knee; end with hands up or on all fours)

Opposite arm circles (right hand circles forward, left backwards)

Simultaneous arm and leg circles

Jump in place with 180 or 360 turns while in flight

Balance exercises on a low balance beam

Cross step-over running or carioca

Somersault to balance (somersault to standing one legged balance)

Skipping A, B and C’s

Obstacle running (place hurdles directly on floor and have athlete run over them)

Remember, coordination includes elements of balance, spatial orientation, rhythm and various other traits. This list reflects exercises to improve several of those elements.


Learn more about Brian's complete system of developing young athletes - Complete Athlete Development Home