Is it “just” Growing Pains?
I was stretching with my U13 soccer team after a scrimmage. Through a chorus of moans and evident wincing one player told me, “Coach, no one in my class can touch their toes.” Her teammates nodded in agreement. Yep, tight muscles in longer limbs are natural when they’re growing. But does that mean pain is […]
NEEDED: Coaches Who Teach, Not Just Recruit
We’re seeing an alarming trend among coaches of elite athletes in all sports today: recruiting their talent rather than building it. After all, in an environment that celebrates winning above all else, teaching the fundamentals takes too long. Why develop talent when you can recruit it? Why spend time in injury prevention drills, strengthening and […]
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, […]
Nine Rules of Good Training
1. Knows that exercise is stress. An athlete must rest and recover to build. 2. Will increase intensity slowly (not > 10%/week). (Coaches often coach to the highest common denominator. This puts the lowest in fitness at risk.) 3. Will build a base of fitness: gradually building intensity, peaking in season. 4. Will alternate hard […]
What Causes Overtraining?
Overtraining injury may be the result of one or several of the following: Activities which require repetitive motion. Increasing intensity or duration of training too quickly. Lack of fitness, especially core strength. Failure to fully rehab after an injury, come back too soon, not allow enough rest for recovery. Poorly functioning equipment. Shoes are generally […]