It’s not Conditioning It’s Training, as long as…
It’s not conditioning it’s training, and not even training, if we are not teaching. Conditioning is Pavlovian. That is, every time I do this, they do that. That’s not training. It’s brain-washing, manipulating, mechanizing, automacizing. Is that what we are really after when we hold practice to prepare them for the upcoming contest? Training is […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Good Coaches Make Youth Sports Healthy
“Youth sports is out of control! We need to go back to the good ole days when everyone played for fun in their neighborhoods!” The old days were good, but they’re gone. Now, issues of safety, distance, parental work schedules, and availability of playing areas make neighborhood games something of a relic. And, I’m sorry. Fantasy […]
The Parent-Coach-Kid triangle
“As a parent, it’s your job to see the very best in your child,” a coach once told our team parents. “It’s my job to see them as they are and to help them be better.” He was right. None of us is objective about our own child. But a good coach can be. I […]
The Beautiful Game, Beautifully Played
How many of us have watched in amazement and disgust this week as Elizabeth Lambert of the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team assaulted players from Brigham Young University’s team? First, pulling a player down by her ponytail, then administering karate chops to the face of a player on a “tackle” and more. After […]
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, […]