Why Teen Athletes Need More Than Just Their Sport

By Coach Adam

When I was playing sports in middle and high school, I knew that it was important that I got stronger, but no one ever taught me how to do that.  I mostly looked to bodybuilding magazines (this was pre-internet) or older guys at the gym to try and figure out what I should be doing with my time in the weight room.

When I was recruited to wrestle in college, I was given a lifting program to follow, but no instruction on form, or how to complete the movements.  I was basically winging it, and hoping that what I did was going to help me get stronger for my sport, or at least not injure me.

I was lucky enough to have at least some idea of how to squat, lunge, and push and pull safely and effectively, but, unfortunately, I've come to see how rare this can be for many young athletes.

The Gap in Youth Athletic Development

Coaches play a vital role in guiding youth athletes, and have a huge impact on their lifelong development. But, oftentimes, their knowledge lives in the sport they're coaching — and understandably so. There's only so much time in a practice, and the X's and O's of the game tend to take priority over what happens in the weight room.

The result is that a lot of young athletes spend years developing sport-specific skills without ever building the physical foundation that would actually help them perform better, stay healthier, and keep growing as athletes long after their high school careers are over.  And when they do end up in a weight room — whether on their own, or eventually in a college program — they're left to figure it out the same way I did.  Some get lucky.  Many, unfortunately, do not.

Going Beyond Sports

Here's what we believe: learning how to train — with proper technique, intentional programming, and an understanding of how your body moves — is one of the most valuable things a young athlete can take with them for the rest of their life.  Not because they're going to become professional athletes (though some might), but because the habits and movement patterns they build now will shape how they feel and perform for decades.

It's not all about building the biggest bench press, or the fastest 40-yard dash (though these things matter down the line); It's about building athletes who are resilient, confident in their bodies, and equipped to keep getting better — on the field and off it.

What We’re Doing About It

This is our approach to training youth athletes, and the basis of our Teen Strength & Conditioning Summer Program.  Over four weeks — Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30pm, from July 7th through July 30th — we'll work with middle and high school athletes on the movement foundation that many of them may have never gotten: proper technique for strength training (both weighted and bodyweight), power and speed development, and the tools to prepare for the demands of high school and college-level S&C programs.

Early bird registration is open now at $169/student through May 31st ($199 after that). More info and sign-up at fullrangepvd.com/blog/teens.

If you know a student-athlete — or a parent of one — who could use this, please consider passing it along. We'd love to help them get a head start!