5K Run Training Plan: This Schedule Will Get You Across the Finish Line

Your fitness needing a little boost? Signing up for a fall 5K race is the perfect motivator. Are you hesitating? Maybe you’ve never run a 5K? Or maybe you’re thinking about getting into (or back into) running, but you’re asking how will I ever run 3.2 miles?  Glad you asked. You need to set up a schedule […]

Youth Soccer Players:Take Your Game Home Over the Summer

Don’t you love that last day of school? You return all your books, say goodbye to your teachers and head out the door. Don’t have to think about any of THAT stuff till September. All good, unless you volunteered to take the class pet home for the summer. Him, you have to feed, water, exercise […]

GMU Women’s Soccer, Playing to Win Like Women

Do you struggle to help your female athletes play confidently because they’ve been raised to step back? Check out today’s Soccer Wire to read my article about the  “leadership council” initiated by Head Women’s Soccer Coach Diane Drake. She has created and defined an environment where the cooperation natural to women plays host to internal […]

Girls Soccer Needs Less Force, More Finesse

Boys play differently than girls do, even at the top levels of the youth game. Take a couple minutes to watch this video from US Youth Soccer National League championship play. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU1zrybZG8I It begins with boys games, then at about 4 minutes it shifts to the girls’. Watch how the girls are heavier on their feet. They come […]

Runners:5 Easy Ways to Stay Motivated

How’s the motivation coming? Somehow, things are easy to start. And when we see the finish line, they’re easy to finish. The problem comes in the middle. How do you stick to your training plan when you’re on down the road but don’t yet see the finish line? Here are 5 hints to help you […]

Soccer Stretches for Coaches and Athletes

These stretches will take just a  few  minutes after each practice and game, but it’s time well spent. One coach contacted me to say his biggest challenge was parents who would want to whisk their kids away. Yes, we are in a hurry these days. Just email those team parents and let them know you […]

Coaching Fitness by Being Fit

What is the most important thing you can do to encourage good fitness in your players? a. have them run? b. have them do calisthenics? c. give them a home program for non-practice days? d. be fit yourself As an exercise physiologist, I certainly believe running, strength and home programs are important to help kids […]

Soccer Stretch: Dynamic Before, Static After

I get this question a lot: should they stretch? YES Follow up question: when and how? Before and after. Here’s how. Before practice they should perform a dynamic warm up, moving the body parts to be used in a controlled and increasingly intense manner. That means: forward, backward, at angles, in rotations, at increasing pace […]

Stretches for Athletes Who Run

Don’t tell me, let me guess. You have jumped into that new fitness program and now you ache.  Don’t just keep working harder and running faster. That may be the American way, but your body won’t like it. Stretch! …AFTER you exercise. It’s basic physiology: your muscles contract so you can run. That means they […]

5K Run Training Plan: This Schedule Will Get You Across the Finish Line

Training for a community 5k is a great way to boost your fitness and contribute to a terrific causeYour fitness needing a little boost? Signing up for a fall 5K race is the perfect motivator. Are you hesitating? Maybe you’ve never run a 5K? Or maybe you’re thinking about getting into (or back into) running, but […]