5 Potential Danger Zones in the Young Athlete

Kids need a challenge but they also need special handling. Most people think, why? My kids are flexible, resilient, and young. They bounce back from anything thrown at them. Let’s throw it all at them! They can handle it. Not so fast. Why? Because they’re growing, and growing presents special challenges and unique demands. They’re not mini-adults […]

Perfect Training, Puppy Style

When life gives you a puppy, make him a training game. I had no choice as I tried to escort Buddy, my new little Brittany, in from his fence. He wanted to dart this way; I wanted him to go that. Oh, but this was a game. If I ran, he ran. So I dashed […]

Nix the Cardio-loading and Balance Your Fitness This Year

This is gonna be a decidedly low tech Christmas and new year for me. I have just read Lenny Bernstein’s blog in the Washington Post magazine highlighting a couple of “science fitness” options: an ear bud who whispers sweet workout feedback into your ear and a hovercraft that badgers you to stay on pace. Not […]

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 […]

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 […]

Stretching Develops Flexibility in Body and Mind

Stretching Develops Flexibility in Body and Mind  I often get the question: when should I stretch?* The short answer is: After your workout.  After your game.  After your run.  There are 2 main reasons for this.  One is physical:  after exercise is when your muscles are warm and supple.  Stretching afterwards allows them to lengthen, […]