The Integration of Unilateral and Bilateral Movements to Assist in Strength Development
The program within is called One Big, One Small—there is one major movement, and a secondary movement supports this major movement. It can be used by anyone irrespective of sport or training goal to improve performance or get bigger and stronger.
Speed Pull Cycle for Athletes
What athletes can I use this with? How do I know how much weight to use? How do I peak for an event or playoffs? I thought you'd never ask.
INTERVIEW: Chip Ganassi Racing Strength and Conditioning Coach Chris Snyder
During my time in Indianapolis with the Firebirds, I came across pit crews that were training at the same place we were. I volunteered my time to help with training for a season then went on to work exclusively with Chip Ganassi about 16 years ago.
Is Your Local School or Team Training Hurting or Helping the Athlete?
Private gym owners, Chris Janek and Steve Konopka discuss the relationships they've built with high school strength coaches, parents, and athletes to maintain one mission: help athletes reach their full potential in sport.
At-Home Offseason Football Training Program
You will most likely never find yourself in a situation like this. Don't feel bad for yourself by not having access to the weight room and your teammates/coaches. Your competition is probably not training right now. TAKE ADVANTAGE!
Guns Up, Let's Do This!
We have been analyzing data, scientific and non-scientific research, burned up phone lines talking to everyone and anyone to see what they are doing, and also getting guidelines from our prospective schools or employers about what to do. In the spirit of Leeroy Jenkins, it's time for action!
Why Do Strength and Conditioning Coaches Specialize So Early?
Just like early specialization in youth athletics stunts a child's athletic development, the same holds true for coaches. Coaches, don't set your own ceiling.
Relationships and Team Dynamics
I write this after fielding many questions during this COVID-19 lockdown period from young strength and conditioning coaches who have either lost their jobs or are at a crossroads of confidence. In some 30 years, I've had 17 strength and conditioning jobs...
Hand Position During Rest: On Head or Knees?
When an athlete bends over, it shows who is weak. We didn't want to have our athletes appearing weak, so we made them stand up. Maybe we're wrong about that.
Athletes and Wearing Belts
A belt is a support mechanism. Your trunk still supports, contracts, and strengthens while wearing a belt and gaining strength. Again, when not used properly, a belt is useless and has downsides. Here's what to know as a coach with a listing of the belts I recommend for high school athletes, college athletes, and lifters.
INTERVIEW: Stewart-Haas Racing Athletic Director Greg Honeychuck
From football and baseball to NASCAR, learn from Greg as he continues to climb (and race) the strength and conditioning ranks.
The Dos and Don’ts of 2020 Football
Here's a don't: If you are waiting until the summer to begin preparing for the fall, you're already behind the eight ball...
Programming is Irrelevant
The last time I checked, there are places that squat, don’t squat, wicket run, don’t wicket run, Olympic lift, Conjugate, Triphasic, unilateral, bilateral, and whatever else…BUT ALL OF THEIR ATHLETES SEEM TO DEVELOP.
What We Can Do As S&C Coaches
What if the lineman loses 35 pounds as a result of not having adequate food. Are they ready for the upcoming season? Are they going to be able to perform optimally if that 35 pounds was force-producing muscle mass? Most likely not.
Extra Workouts for the Off-Season Football Player
Here's an excellent example of how to place extra workouts in a weekly off-season football training schedule along with what an extra workout accomplishes (or should).
INTERVIEW: Fighting Illini Football Assistant S&C Coach Micah Cloward
Coach Micah Cloward has experienced invaluable lessons nearly paving the way for his strength and conditioning career. Read his 13-year journey that continues to unfold.
How a Small School Strength Coach Becomes a Big School Strength Coach
The weight room that I worked in was a 3,000-square-foot facility that housed 20 teams and more than 400 athletes. Even though the weight room was built to optimize the space, as you can imagine, things got really tight.
Rugby Wants You!
Where do all of the football players go when they are unable to reach their playing goals in college or the National Football League?
INTERVIEW: UW Head Assistant S&C Coach Shaun Snee
Don't just know the strength and conditioning coaches you hope will help you out. Invest in the world of strength and conditioning, powerlifters, strongmen, weightlifters, athletes in your desired sport, and check out their routines and habits.
COVID-19 and S&C
Albert Einstein says it best, "Out of clutter, find simplicity. Out of discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."
Is Your Winning Culture Broken?
Without a culture, we are just hamsters on a wheel. Working hard and going nowhere. Our teams may train hard and get after it, but year after year, they will fall short on the playing field.
It's as Easy as 1, 2, 3…4, 5, 6, 7
The path to becoming a strength and conditioning coach at the collegiate level is unique to everyone. However, there are some similarities and tips that this strength and conditioning coach wants you to know.
Down the Road to Pinball Wizardry
As a strength and conditioning coach, your job takes on the journey of a metallic ball on a playfield inside a glass-covered cabinet — never traveling in a straight line. Strap in as the ride will get bumpy!