One of the primary tenets of strength training is to never add strength on top of dysfunction (poor technique). Although we firmly believe young athletes shouldn’t strength train until they’ve started puberty, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of technique and movement training prior to puberty. A young athlete that already knows how to properly decelerate and accelerate, how to absorb force with proper landing mechanics, and correct exercise form during fundamental movements will have a HUGE advantage when they enter high school. They will be:
- Less likely to get injured, especially ACL injuries
- Stronger
- Faster
- Spend less time working on the fundamentals and more time working on sport-specific skills.
- Be able to lift weights sooner
- Be more confident on the field
This program is designed to give those young athletes an edge when they get in high school.
The Details:
Who: 6th-8th grade girls
What: Two 60 minute training sessions weekly for 4 weeks (8 total sessions)
When: January 2019
Where: Ageless in Gillespie
Cost: $60 for 8 sessions
Misc: Limited to 6 athletes per session
Training sessions include:
- Deceleration – the ability to stop safely and efficiently
- Acceleration – the ability to start and explode safely and efficiently
- Movement patterns – basics patterns like the squat, hip hinge, and horizontal pull that all sport rely on
- Dynamic flexibility – establishing a safe range of motion for sporting movements
- Pillar Strength – The anchor that allows the body to create power.
- Rotational Power – Teaching the hips and core to work together to create maximum bat speed.
Most importantly, we try to make sure our young athletes develop a passion for fitness and athletics. By continually creating small wins and using positive reinforcement, we instill a sense of confidence in your child. In the end, we hope he develops a “growth mindset“, a.k.a “I may struggle with this drill/technique/skill now, but with enough practice I WILL master it.” That is the mindset of a true champion.
