While high schoolers are nothing more than young adults, over the last couple of years I’ve learned quite a lot working with these athletes.  Here are a few of the things that stick out:

  • Never underestimate how weak high school athletes are compared to adults.  This is not a knock on these athletes, strength just happens to be a linear physical quality.  It’s good to remember this when you’re writing up the workouts and factoring in the amount of volume teen athletes need.
  • Teaching high school athletes how to move properly is the most beneficial thing you can do for them.  Athletes are singled out at a young age if they are more “gifted” movers.  And these are the athletes that are nurtured and developed while the not-so-gifted athletes are left behind.  It’s a tragedy   Proper, efficient, effective movement is a learned ability and can be developed way beyond the capacity everyone thinks.
  • High school athletes like to be treated like adults.  Treating high school athletes with respect and being real with them about why we do the things we do goes along way in them trusting us as coaches.  A lot of the times they don’t seem like they’re paying attention, but you can see it getting through to them as their fitness and athleticism increases.
  • High school athletes need to be coached differently than adults.  The motivation for high school athletes is different than adults.  Paying a monthly membership is usually enough motivation to get an adult to class and have them push themselves.  Any intrinsic motivation beyond that is icing on the cake.  Teens, on the other hand, need to be motivated differently.  There are the few athletes who are very driven individuals, and they are a joy to work with.  For the most part though, high school athletes need to be pushed, prodded  coddled, given tough love, or whatever is necessary to get them to do the necessary work.  The good thing about the classes, similar to the adult classes, is the group dynamic is very good at providing the necessary motivation for success.
  • Keep it simple!  High school athletes have no need for complicated movements.  Sticking to and perfecting the basics is crucial at this stage in the game.  (This is also my philosophy with anyone who is not well on their way to becoming an elite athlete).
The Varsity class, knocking our some dynamic range of motion.

The Varsity class, knocking our some dynamic range of motion.

Workout of the Day
Front Squat
Find your 1 rep max.
Take 20 minutes to find your 1RM.
5 minute AMRAP of:
7 Toes to Bar
5 Front Squats @ 65% of 1RM

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